2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spicy music from Hamburg, December 29, 2010
This review is from: Musik der Hamburger Pfeffersäcke (Music of Hamburg's Moneybags) (Audio CD)
This is definitely a recording that will sharpen your ears and whet your appetite. The programme of Handel, Telemann and Keiser is shaped with a sense of having something to say. The accompanying booklet doesn't say much about the music but, the anonymous letter from 1708 which tells much about Hamburg as a blossoming city of music at that time.
The playing is one to a part, and if that sounds like a terrible anaemic soundscape, think one more time. RaumKlang has done excellent work in recording these gems. The sound is crisp and full without making the instruments sound unnaturally close. Telemann's Overture "L'Omphale" in e minor has an impressive air of tragedy to it's scoring with strings, BC, recorder and oboes. I'd also like to single out Handel's Sinfonia in B flat major. I've never heard this played so well. The tempo is breathtakingly fast, but the attention to detail is also quite fantastic - Listen to it and you sure will see that the anonymous early 18th century author of the letter in the booklet was right in claiming a bright future for Handel even though he had just heard a few pieces of him.
Reinhard Keiser's Overture is also impressive and full of wit and élan. The percussions and winds are very colourfull and the mighty chaconne adds well to the tragic mood to what Telemann opened this CD with.
The Korean soprano Yeree Suh is also an exceptionally musician. My one criticism of this CD is that I'd like to hear more of her. She sings with a rare intelligence and taste. Her embellishments are sober, yet they seem to do more to the music than I noticed at the first hearing, and a cantata or some more arias would be welcome from her on this disc. This is a truly unique CD, and if it is true that you can't buy yourself love, you can at least buy yourself bliss and happiness with this marvellous music.
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