Telemann: Complete Violin Concertos Vol. 5

The Wallfisch Band, Wallfisch, Elizabeth

CPO 777550

The revival of the violin concertos by Georg Philipp Telemann is a rewarding undertaking, for which the label cpo deserves more credit. Telemann was a master who mastered his craft perfectly, as well as an original, resourceful mind that moved beyond routine and was always good for a surprise. Stylistically located between baroque and early classical, between gallant style and sensibility, his music impresses with its pleasing tone, without appearing superficial. • While the concerts of the previous episode were actually orchestral suites with obligatory violins, the seven concerts of the fifth episode (including one for two and one for four violins, strings and continuo) date from about 1708 to 1716, all applied in quadruplicate according to the scheme slow-fast-slow-fast. Within this series of sentences Telemann offers a wide variety of design principles and the greatest variety of expressions. The spectrum ranges from monodic cantilenas to sentences with contrapuntal texture, from the brooding F sharp minor adagio (in Telemann's time a most daring, unusual key) to the virtuoso-exuberant G major allegro. • The solo violin has the opportunity to shine through emotional-vocal playing as well as through double stops, fluency and brilliant passages. Australian-born Baroque violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch does so in the usual sovereign manner. Accompanied by the Wallfisch Band, a string ensemble consisting of professors and selected students of baroque music classes from all over Europe, who follows his boss, she is articulated in a lively manner and, above all, pronounces the tutti sections of the fast phrases designed virtuoso. The brittle sound and a certain lack of cantability in the slow movements must be accepted by historicizing ensembles today. The transparency of the game and the sound quality of the recording are excellent. • Sixtus King † [15.01.2013]

CD x 1

CPO

9/25/12

761203755028