Customer Reviews

Essercizii Musici

5 star:		(2)
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This is very nice stuff. I have really enjoyed disc one and disc four and plan to hear the other two discs tomorrow. Very nice oboe, viola de gamba, violin, flute, etc - all in small ensembles of 2 or 3 or 4 instruments.

Telemann has a very good reputation - suffering only by comparison to Bach. Camerata Koln seems to be one of the three or four groups to pick from in Telemann chamber pieces (see penguin guide, etc.) It is very hard to find a review of this set other than the one below (rated 4 out of 5). I think it is very well done and if you like Telemann and small chamber pieces - it is great.

A poor translation of the only review I could find (Amazon-France)

"This anthology, that does to alternate sonatas for instrument soloist (with or without low continuos) and sonatas in trio, constitutes a magnificent example of the work protéiforme of Telemann, so in regards to the variety of the structures (certain sonatas are in reality of the continuations) that the one of the stamps. Violin, viola de gamba, flute to beak (?)and traversière (old style flute), oboe and harpsichord hold alone the top of the paved or ally themselves two to two in an expressive fan that proceeds at once will of the composer to post the range of his mastery and of his desire of never to weary and to surprise also a little the listener. The Camarata Köln dominates perfectly his subject and I will underline gladly the talent of Michael Schneider of which the flute to beak not only does not pierce the eardrums, but shows constantly an exquisite sensitiveness. An excellent general level maintains itself from one end to the other of the anthology, even if some anthologies punctually went more far in the vigor and the sonorous drunkenness (cf. S. Marq and the brothers Hantaļ with Astrée). Although it in, Telemann springs grew of the listens body and the price of the set is particularly attractive."

I have a number of sonatas from Essercizii Musici on various CDs that I own, but this is the first time that I have ever seen the complete set on one release.

If you have never listened to Telemann, or are looking to expand your knowledge of him, this is a great place to start. G.P. Telemann wrote these sonatas masterfully, and you get the full range of moods, tempos, and instrumentation from them. His melodies are beautiful and enjoyable to listen to, and they're filled with enough intricate counterpoint that you hear something new every time you listen.

If you're a die-hard baroque fan, this collection is worth its weight in gold. This four-disc boxed set is excellent on all accounts -- sound quality, performance, etc.

I am completely happy with my purchase, and would recommend this recording to anyone who has even a passing interest in chamber music.