Customer Reviews

Telemann: Complete Violin Concertos, Vol. 1

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When one thinks of Telemann the immediate association is with Tafelmusik. Perhaps you may also think of the viola concerto. If you have heard a bit more you may think about the suites and the Polish influence and perhaps of Don Quixote attacking windmills. When you think of his concerti you think of horns and the sounds of the German hunt, but certainly not of Italian concerti for violin.
This volume and its accompanying second volume present us with some of Telemann's output in the genre of violin concerti in the Italian style. Telemann himself mentioned that he did not care for concerti, but from this recording you can't really tell since the works are beautifully crafted. This is a very different Telemann from what one is typically used to hearing.
The sound and the interpretation are really excellent.
I highly recommend this set for those of you who like Telemann but also for fans of the Italian concerto form.

With Vol.2, this is as far as I know the only set of complete violin concertos of Telemann, although being as prolific as he was, I'm suprised there are not more volumes.

Beautifully played on period instruments, with Australian-born Elizabeth Wallfisch in top form, this is very engaging stuff. Telemann was a master of melodic invention so if you like a good tune this is for you. Recording quality is excellent - warm and detailed.

Good on you CPO for releasing so much rarely recorded music.

Recommended for all lovers of Baroque music.

Down through the years, I have listened to and enjoyed many of Telemann's compositions such as his Flute Quartets along with numerous chamber works for various instrumental combinations and various orchestra works (i.e., Tafelmusick, orchestra suites, et al).This superb CPO recording of Volume One (1) of Telemann's complete Violin Concertos featuring the superb playing of Elizabeth Wallfisch, on violin wonderfully accompanied by L'Orfeo Barockorchestra, has introduced me to another facet of Telemann's vast musical "output"--the concerto and in this case, the concerto for violin. The seven (7) concertos for violin on this recording are splendid examples of the Baroque "Italian Style" concerti. They have three or four movements that alternate between slow and fast. The aforesaid instrumentalists perform these concertos magnificently on original instruments with nary a harsh sound. I look forward to future recordings of Telemann's Violin concertos from these performers because I really enjoyed this Volume one (1).