Telemann: Quartet TWV 43:G1 in G major for flute, violin, viola da gamba or cello & b.c. (Paris Quartets set 1 ('Quadri') No. 1 'Concerto primo')

Telemann wrote the twelve Paris Quartets whilst living in the eponymous city in the Winter of 1737-38. These quartets represent the very best of Telemann’s chamber music: refined, richly varied and full of imagination.

Volumes 2 and 3 feature Baroque greats such as John Holloway and Lars Ulrik Mortensen and set new standards of performance in these charming works.

Telemann’s sunny character and humorous disposition shine through in his music. During his life time he was very successful, artistically and commercially. One of the highlights of his later years had been his Tafelmusik, which combines styles from several countries. So when publishing his Quartets in Paris some years later expectations were high. And Telemann’s main competitor was the composer himself. He managed to gather even more subscribers for this latest venture than previously for the Tafelmusik. And yes, the Quartets did prove more than worthy of all the preceding excitement. Telemann’s most entertaining music is performed here by Jed Wentz on the flauto traverso (transverse flute) and members of Musica ad Rhenum. They consciously deviated from the by now established tempos. Most often the music is played faster. In the booklet Jed Wentz convincingly explains the reason why.

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was one of the most prolific composers of the Baroque period, rivalling Vivaldi in his industry. He studied languages and science at Leipzig University, and was largely self-taught as far as music was concerned. In 1704 he became organist of the New Church in the city, and founded a students music society, called Collegium Musicum. After several other appointments in Germany, including Bayreuth, Eisenach and Frankfurt, he became director of music at the Johanneum in Hamburg, and organist at 5 major churches in the city. A tireless traveller, he visited Berlin many times and in 1737 went to Paris.

He was a friend, colleague and, through marriage a relation to J.S Bach. His huge output includes over 40 operas, 44 Passions, 12 sets of services for the year, cantatas, Psalm settings, keyboard music for organ and harpsichord and many inventive concertos and overtures.

This 29CD set provides a superb introduction to this master of the Barock. He often suffers in comparison to Bach, Handel and Vivaldi mainly because it is so difficult to know where to start with such a vast body of work.

This Brilliant Classics box set makes the Telemann experience all the more enjoyable by making this selection and providing a wonderful window into the world of this great composer.

CDROM includes booklet essays and sung texts.

Artists include Heinz Holliger, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Iona Brown, Otto Sauter, Amsterdam Bach Soloists, Wiener Akademie, Martin Haselböck, Barbara Schlick, Musica Antiqua Koln, Reinhard Goebel, Fabio Biondi and others.

"VIVARTE" is the 'Sony Classical' period music label, known for producing outstanding recordings on period instruments. The recordings by legendary producer Wolf Erichson are made with the best recording technologies available & by one of the best production teams in the world (Tritonus Music Production, Stuttgart). The box-set includes recordings with specialists in historically informed performance practice, such as Anner Bylsma, Gustav Leonhardt, Tafelmusik, Huelgas Ensemble, L'Archibudelli & others. The CD's are presented in paper sleeves with the original artwork of the former CD's. Tne box contains a x250 page booklet with tracklistings & the original liner notes of each recording.