Telemann: Sonatas and Sonatinas for Recorder and b. c.

Aghassi, Benny, Meniker, Zvi, Schegget, Heiko ter, Velden, Mieneke van der

MDG 905 1693-6

While we may be experiencing a severe shortage of adequate singers for Wagner, Verdi, and Puccini, we live in a golden age of recorder playing. Heiko ter Schegget, a pupil of Leo Meilink and Marion Verbruggen, is a superb master of his instrument, with a seamless legato, faultless tonguing, and sweet tone entirely devoid of any breathiness. The various continuo players all fulfill their supporting roles most ably in immaculate interpretations; there is one spiky little surprise at the very end of the last track that I won’t reveal but will mention as a teaser. Finally, the music is by Telemann, whose exquisitely crafted sonatas are an endless source of delight—and how wonderful it is that he composed so many of them! I’m not convinced that SACD recording adds anything over regular digital recording to a Baroque chamber ensemble, but in any case the sound quality is excellent, and all the individual movements (30 total) are separately tracked. The booklet notes include extensive details on the recorders played. While there are now numerous similar Baroque recorder sonata CDs on the market, any fan of this repertoire will surely wish to have this one. • FANFARE: James A. Altena

SACD x 1

MDG

29/04/2011

760623169361