Telemann Highlights

Read About This Recording

One cannot help but feel sorry for Georg Philipp Telemann. Born four years before Bach and Handel, Telemann remains overshadowed by those masters of the German Baroque, but when you really have the chance to listen to Telemann's music you cannot help but wonder why he can't escape those shadows. As this two-CD collection entitled Telemann Highlights demonstrates, Telemann was a fine melodist who used the forces at his disposal and wrote exceptionally beautiful music for them.

The first of the CDs focuses on Telemann's sacred choral and vocal music and includes four Cantatas that are on par with the more famous Bach Cantatas. The vocal and choral lines mesh superbly with the orchestra and the particularly beautiful use of the oboe. Also included is a strong reading of excerpts from Telemann's version of the St. Matthew Passion. It is amazing how different this piece is from Bach's masterpiece; different but quite beautiful.

The second disc takes listeners on a journey through some of Telemann's wide variety of instrumental music. A Fantasia for solo flute contrasts with the more elaborate Suite and Concertos that are included. Of special interest is the Concerto for Four Guitars, which is a superb arrangement of the Concerto for Four Violins.

The performers in the collection are all first-rate and show a deep appreciation for the Telemann sound which Society Members should also get to know.

—Jacob Anthony

Contents

Lobet den Hern, alle seine Heerscharen TWV1:1061; Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille TWV14:12; Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten TWV1:1593; Matthäus-Passion 1746; Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille TWV14:12; Concerto in D Major; Fantasia A Minor; Suite in E Minor; Concerto in C Major; Concerto for Four Guitars; Concerto in G Major for Viola and Orchestra.

Pierre Kremer, Trumpet; Matthias von Brenndorff, Peter Thalheimer, Flutes; The Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra; Collegium vocale des Bach-Chores Siegen; Trompeten-Consort Friedmann Immer; Barock-Orchester Hannoversche Hofkapelle; Barock-Orchester La Stravaganza Köln; Saarbrücker Kammermusiker; Collegium Musica Rara Stuttgart; Berlin Guitar Ensemble; Capella Istropolitana; Ulrich Stötzel, Carlo Jans, Paul Kantschieder, Hansjoachim Kaps, Conductors.