Customer Reviews

Zelenka: Trio Sonatas

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The listener from NY gets it half right -- this music is marvelous. Anyone who goes to Zelenka expecting to encounter the generic baroque trio sonata is in for a bracing shock. On the other hand, NY's assessment of the performances is less pleasantly shocking. To describe Holliger et. al. as "dull as dishwater" is like complaining that Toscanini's pacing of Beethoven's symphonies is "inert as molasses." To take one example, just listen to the two oboes squealing like puppies above a deadpan harpsichord continuo! No mistake about it -- Zelenkas's trio sonatas are both wonderful music and wonderfully performed on this desert island disc.

Heinz Holliger in the liner note of this work expressed regret that the "Zelenka Renaissance continues to proceed far too hesitantly". Perhaps this recording will lead the way to Jan Dismas Zelenka being given the due he was denied in his own lifetime and beyond. Wonderfully well performed, on modern instruments, of a suite of six trio sonatas which deserve to be played and played often.

Zelenka was the "unbaroque" baroque composer. Every device of the genre can be found here on these Trio Sonatas, and yet, there is a depth of feeling and expression, from the sublime to the witty to an almost palpable cry of dispair answered with a succor of relief which is not often encountered in most baroque works. Every bit of the composition is polished and yet a sense of spontaneity, of wit and whimsy and deep emotion, affekt, appears just under the surface and sometimes, when you don't expect it, it leaps out and grabs you by the throat as if to say "This is as obvious as a snowflake and just as complex!". Heinz Holliger states that these works are a "...challenge to every musician and adventurous listener".

The "challenge" appears in an understated grey case with enclosed liner notes. The composer a mysterious man who left very little, not even his portrait, to posterity save a handful of works which frighten, perplex, gratify and endear what he was to us. The performers, reserved men and women who have let their work speak for itself. You will wonder why this composition has languished in obscurity and you will agree with me that its time has finally arrived.

I recommend this recording without reservation. Anyone who listens to and enjoys baroque music must have it.

I am still waiting for the CD to arrive, but it was featured recently on National Public Radio.

The little bit I heard was as fine as a classical performance can possibly be. The players play with an intensity and feeling that is truly uncommon in today's world of mass produdced, get it out the door now attitudes, with little real concern for quality.

This CD will amaze you with the sheer brilliance and and quality of the performance and to serve as an outstanding introduction to a little known composer.

This is a MUST HAVE for any classical music lover.

These compositions are marvellous for their elaborate counterpoint and high spirits. Played by Holliger and his ensemble, Zelenka's polyphonic melodies seem to spiral, weave and modulate indefinitely, having an academic sophistication comparable to Bach and energy level comparable to Vivaldi.

Of course, historical instruments might be preferred. Holliger doesn't produce the same goosyness of a baroque oboe. But who has made a recording that compares to this? Ensemble Zefiro may be strong competition, but they don't make it sound as easy and fluid (though I strongly recommend Zefiro for their Vivaldi concertos).

Holliger was an early advocate of Zelenka's instrumental work, and this is his second recording of the sonatas. The new performances are more polished and consistent, and with the addition of a lute to the continuo, more historically informed. The entire ensemble is a cast of accomplished veterans, and these sonatas allow plenty of opportunity for exhibiting their skills. Tempos are paced for a complementary balance of clarity and excitement, and Klaus Thunemann's agility on bassoon is especially astonishing. ECM's production is typically refined and clearly images the entire ensemble.

If you consider the DG box reissue of Holliger's earlier recording plus Camerata Bern's orchestral works, you'll get more music for your money, but the orchestral works are slightly inferior to the sonatas, in my opinion. Also, a 1-CD reissue of CB's Zelenka is now available as an import on the low-price Eloquence label. So with its 21st century sound quality weighing heavily in its favor, this ECM set has to be my favorite choice for the complete sonatas.

A pleasure to hear music so rarely played done in such glorious style. Exquisite orchestration and presentation.

No where else will you find this concentration of music with a predominence of oboe (of course I am an oboe music junkie)! I find Zelenka's compositions to be refreshing, and listen to this at least twice a week.

The performance is truly outstanding, and really conveys great emotional texture. I cannot imagine these pieces being done any better than they have been here. In addition the recording is of the highest quality, crystal clear and sharp, no background noise, all the instruments very well presented.

Having played the oboe for numerous years (but not in several), I was curious about this title when I heard some of it on NPR. Put it on my wish list, and behold... Santa dropped it down the chimney!

I am not a hyper-critical music nut, but I do enjoy listening to a variety of music types. While I agree (to some extent) about the excessive use of vibrato, etc., this CD set is a delight to listen to. It has a different feel or edge than the Pachebel Canon most people think of when they think of baroque music. I can listen to it for hours. Oh yes... LOTS of oboe playing too!

I reviewed this CD a few years back. The only thing I can add to my earlier review is that this CD gets better and better with each listening. The more I know about it, the more I love it.

If you enjoy the music of JS Bach, Telemann or Piscendel you owe to yourself to hew to their opinion of Zelenka's music and purchase this CD.

I bought this over at iTunes, so I knew what I was looking for when I found the album cover. I'd heard Zelenka's music in the past, but I had never owned a recording of it. I'd only heard it in passing and now I get to have my own copy.

Now I know that someone else became really critical over a perceived muddy recording, given the high caliber of performers on this album. However, I didn't sense any of that when I listened to this. I'm not about to nitpick over the slightest discrepancies. It would have to be conspicuously bad in order for me to give it a one-star rating.

Granted, Zelenka may not be as well-known as his Baroque contemporaries Bach and Handel. He could even be considered terribly underrated. Thus, his music is certainly worth more attention than what it normally receives.

What I like is that I could set it as background music while I drive or read and sort of get lost in it. I think that this recording is well worth the money spent on it and I recommend it to everyone who is a fan of Baroque music.