For Music Saturday,
Georg Philipp Telemann again with his 12 Parisian Quartets (1730 - 1738) for
flute, violin, viola da gamba and continuo. With Barthold Kuijken (flute),
Sigiswald Kuijken (violin), Wieland Kuijken (viola da gambe), and Gustav
Leonhardt (continuo), on original instruments.
Georg Philipp
Telemann, (born March 14, 1681,
Magdeburg, Brandenburg [Germany]—died June 25, 1767, Hamburg), was a German
composer of the late Baroque period, who wrote both sacred and secular music
but was most admired for his church compositions, which ranged from small
cantatas to large-scale works for soloists, chorus, and orchestra.
Telemann wrote a lot of very good chamber music, but these Parisian Quartets show him at his best. They are full of wonderful melodies, and some amazing rhythmic quirks. If Telemann had not been so prolific, these works would be considered absolute masterpieces on the order of the Brandenburg Concertos of Bach - they are that good!
This is by far the best recording of these Quartets. The Kujiken brothers are skilled players of their instruments - a great achievement for self-taught musicians. Their version of these works of Telemann is fulfilled with virtuosity and panache, doing justice for the technically demanding scores. But there’s more than just technique. You will find a treasure trove of amazing, artful and delightful music in these works and their exceptional interpretation.
The painting is “The Love Letter” by François Boucher.
Telemann wrote a lot of very good chamber music, but these Parisian Quartets show him at his best. They are full of wonderful melodies, and some amazing rhythmic quirks. If Telemann had not been so prolific, these works would be considered absolute masterpieces on the order of the Brandenburg Concertos of Bach - they are that good!
This is by far the best recording of these Quartets. The Kujiken brothers are skilled players of their instruments - a great achievement for self-taught musicians. Their version of these works of Telemann is fulfilled with virtuosity and panache, doing justice for the technically demanding scores. But there’s more than just technique. You will find a treasure trove of amazing, artful and delightful music in these works and their exceptional interpretation.
The painting is “The Love Letter” by François Boucher.
I think it would have been tough to be writing music at the same time as Handel and Bach. Do you think Telemann was aware of the comparisons being made and did those comparisons affect him?
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