Customer Reviews

George Philipp Telemann: Ein feste Burg

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SPECTACULAR SOLOISTS-CHARISMATIC CHORUS-INSPIRATIONAL INSTRUMENTALISTS = TERRIFIC TELEMANN!
Who could ask for anything more?

This CD is devoted to compositons by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767), all of which are based on biblical texts and hymn verses. They are from various periods of Telemann's life, but only a few of them can be precisely dated. Telemann composed church music throughout his career. His instrumental music is much better known than his vocal and choral works, though recent recordings of his cantatas and motets plus a St.Matthew Passion, is bringing about some much deserved attention to them.

Psalms and motets were at that time part of the church music repertoire, used principally in vesper services, but also on other occasions such as funerals and weddings. The two psalm settings herein are 'Ich danke dem Herrn von ganzem Herzen' (The Lord will I bless for all my days), and 'Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied' (Sing now to God new songs of praise). The latter is an extended work - nine movements employing solos, duets and choruses, all of which show skillful organization, nicely compact sections, interesting choral writing and artful integration of instuments.

The disc's title work 'Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott' (A safe stronghold our God is still) is a ten and half minute substantial motet based on the famous Lutheran hymn, and its style reminds us of many of Bach's chorales. The tune of this work runs ingeniously through each of the five verses. It is sophisticated and its appealing musical details make it the highlight of this recording. However, I must say that I enjoyed all of these compositions and I would find it difficult to choose a 'favorite'.

The three-part motet 'Halt, was du hast' (Hold what thou hast) follows the tradition of the late 17th century; it is a choral motet. The four-voice motet 'Es segno uns Gott'(God bless us all) is clearly a later composition; it is a plea for God's blessing and contains dissonant clashes whose harmonic resolution occurs with symbolic significance at the work "God".

The instrumental selections in the program are movements from 'festive' music composed for funerals of two Hamburg mayors. This has to be some of the most mellifluous and rhymically interesting music you will ever hear made moreso by Telemann's particular use of muted trumpets and muffled tympani (funereal). I must mention Martin Stadler whose very 'classy' and smooth oboe sound was a joy to hear and he had a perfect blend with the other instruments. It made me put aside the old adage "An oboe is in ill wind that nobody blows good!"

The Baroque Orchestra 'Les Favorites' is a really fine ensemble, and is well-directed by Holger Speck, who keeps tempos flowing smoothly; articulation is clear and clean. The seven solo singers are experts in this genre, and their contributions are superbly performed. The full bodied and vibrant sound of the 'Vocalensemble Rastatt' perfectly blended with the instruements is simply marvelous.

The package includes a 27 page booklet with pertinent information in German, English and French; the complete text is also in the three languages.

I bought this to help learn it for a concert and it has been most helpful! It is also a wonderful piece of music.

George Philipp Telemann: Ein feste Burg is a 2004 Carus-Verlag recording under the direction of Holger Speck. The booklet is truly nice and contains not only photographs from the recording, but also a very nice painting of Telemann himself. Also included are the lyrics and music notes by Brit Reipsch and translated into English by John Combs. A tremendous recording. Highly recommended indeed. 5/5.