Telemann - Quatuors Parisiens Vol 1 - Holloway, Duftschmid, et al.

 

Release Date: 03/31/2009 Label: CPO Number of discs: 1 Composer: Telemann Performer: John Holloway  cd info/ buy

Review:

The works that have come to be known as Telemann’s “Paris Quartets” are actually two sets of works not meant by Telemann to be considered as one combined work. In 1730 in Hamburg, Telemann published six quadri (the word “quartet” was not in use in Telemann’s day) for violin, flute, viola da gamba or cello, and basso continuo, consisting of two concertos, two suites, and two sonatas. In 1736–37, these works were reprinted in Paris as Six Quatuors. In 1737, Telemann was able to fulfill a long-held desire of visiting Paris. During his stay, he published six Nouveaux Quatuors, so-called because of the previous printing of his Hamburg quartets. They were written for the same instrumental group as the 1730 publication. In modern times, these two publications were reprinted together as the “Paris Quartets.” This recording, labeled Vol. 1, is presumably the start of a new set of the complete “Paris Quartets.” For this beginning volume, the performers have chosen two works from each publication. The Concerto in D and the Sonata in A are the second and third works of the 1730 publication, while the Quatuors in A Minor and E Minor are the second and sixth works from the later publication. The performers are a very accomplished lot. Most of them have appeared on numerous recordings, individually and occasionally with one or two of their colleagues on this recording, generally receiving high praise from Fanfare’s critics. We are not told if they were brought together for this project or if they occasionally perform together as a group. They sound like an experienced ensemble. Their performances are lively without going to extremes. Rhythms, while not stodgy, are steady. These performers do not think the music requires extremes of tempo or fluctuations in tempo, something indulged in by the Musica ad Rhenum in their complete recording of the “Paris Quartets” for Brilliant. The results show that such extremes are not needed in this music. I look forward to further installments of what will undoubtedly be a distinguished set of the “Paris Quartets.”--Ron Salemi

 

flac, covers, thank you Thomas!

Antonin Reichenauer - Concertos - Musica Florea (2011)

 

Release Date: 06/28/2011 Label: Supraphon Number of discs: 1 Composer: Antonin Reichenauer Performer:  Musica Florea cd info/ buy

Review:

Antonín Reichenauer (c. 1694–1730) – a few years ago a name virtually unknown, today mentioned by Baroque music lovers in the same breath as the greatest Czech Baroque masters, not to mention Antonio Vivaldi himself. Reichenauer assumed after Johann Friedrich Fasch the post of court composer in the service of Count Morzin, whose chapel Vivaldi called a "virtuosissima orchestra" and for which he wrote a number of concertos. Following the previous – and first-ever – CD featuring Reichenauer’s concertos (SU 4035-2), within its Music from Eighteenth-Century Prague series Supraphon is now releasing world premiere recordings of other concertante works as performed by Musica Florea. Twenty years ago among the Czech pioneers of authentic interpretation of early music, today Musica Florea is an ensemble of international renown with a discography of acclaimed and award-winning recordings (Cannes Classical Award, Diapason d’Or). Their perfectly mastered playing on period instruments brings out to the full all the shades of colour, exquisite melodies and entrancing virtuosity of the concertos. After centuries, Reichenauer’s music is now revived and, as these recordings prove, rightly so. From the archives a priceless treasure has been unearthed.

 

flac, booklet,thank you Thomas!

Sweelinck - Toccaten Fantasien Variationen - Peter Ella, clavichord

 

Release Date: 01/24/2006 Label: Hungaroton Number of discs: 1 Composer: Jan P. Sweelinck Performer: Péter Ella cd info/ buy

Review:

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck represents the highest development of the Dutch keyboard school, and indeed represented one of the highest pinnacles attained in keyboard contrapuntal complexity and refinement before J.S. Bach. However, he was a skilled composer for voices as well. Some of Sweelinck's innovations were of profound musical importance, including the fugue - he was the first to write an organ fugue which began simply, with one subject, successively adding texture and complexity until a final climax and resolution, an idea which was perfected at the end of the Baroque era by Bach. Stylistically Sweelinck's music also brings together the richness, complexity and spatial sense of the Gabrielis, with whom he was familiar from his time in Venice, and the ornamentation and intimate forms of the English keyboard composers. In formal development, especially in the use of countersubject, stretto, and organ point (pedal point), his music was far beyond the works of Girolamo Frescobaldi - its nearest predecessor - and looks ahead to J.S. Bach.

 

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