Telemann – Musique de Table (4 CD box set, FLAC)

Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann
Orchestra: Freiburger Barockorchester
Conductor: Gottfried von der Goltz
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 4 CD box set
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Size: 1.24 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

CD 01
01-07: Overture in E minor
08-11: Quartet in G major
12-15: Concerto in A major

CD 02
01-04: Trio in E flat major
05-08: Flute Sonata in B minor
09: Sinfonia in E minor
10-14: Overture in D major
15-16: Quartet in D minor

CD 03
01-03: Concerto in F major
04-07: Trio E minor
08-11: Sonata in A major
12: Conclusion D major

CD 04
01-07: Overture in B flat major
08-11: Quartet in E minor
12-15: Concerto in E flat major
16-19: Trio in D major
20-23: Sonata in G minor
24: Conclusion in B flat major

All of Telemann’s music for the Table splendidly played

Down through the years, on separate recordings, I have enjoyed “musique de table” of Telemann. All of the purported compositions (Orchestra overtures and suites, concertos, sonatas for various solo instruments and accompaniment and chamber music for various combinations of instruments grouped together in “Productions” for different occasions) of Telemann’s “Table music” are contained in this splendidly played four (4) disc Harmonia Mundi recording wonderfully played on “original” instruments by the Freiburger Barockorchestra.

The Freiburger ensemble’s playing in these recordings, sounds so passionate and full of “vim and vigor” with keen rhythmic detail in the fast passages plus the group plays with much tenderness in the slow movements. The same applies to the solo works as well as the small ensembles that are wonderfully played by individual member of the Freiburger Barockorchestra. Although, I have heard these “Table” compositions played many times before, I don’t remember enjoying them as much as I did in this “new” recording. Plus the recorded sound is thrilling. It’s truly lovely to have all of the known “Table Music” of Telemann in one recording especially as splendidly played as it is herein.

I do have one disparaging note about this release: the notes to the recording, I found difficult to understand plus they are “housed” in a most unmanageable booklet. However the music and the performances contained in this recording are splendid indeed