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SOMM Recordings

Telemann: Paris Quartets, Vol. 1 - 6 Quadri (1730)

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Details

Composer
Georg Philipp Telemann
Artist
The London Handel Players
Format
CD
Label
SOMM Recordings
Released
May 09, 2025
Catalog #
SOMMCD 0698
UPC
748871069824

About

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was-to characterize him in contemporary terms-a workaholic, thanks to which we have, amongst his 3,000-plus works, his two sets of marvellously rich Paris Quartets. SOMM Recordings is pleased to release TELEMANN Paris Quartets Volume 1: 6 Quadri, featuring leading period-instrument specialists from The London Handel Players, praised by the New York Times for their "soulful depth" and their "consummate skill and musicianship." At the height of his phenomenal productivity, Telemann held the positions of Kantor at the Johanneum Lateinschule in Hamburg; Kapellmeister to the five largest churches in the city; and Director of the Hamburg Opera. He also had obligations to the courts in Eisenach and Bayreuth. As if that wasn't enough, he embarked on an ambitious project of self-publication of his works. Amongst these were Quartets for violin, flute, viola da gamba or cello, and continuo; divided into 2. Concertos, 2. Ballets, 2. Sonatas. The first set of quartets, or quadri, was published in Hamburg - certainly by 1730 though the exact date is unknown - and such was their popularity that they were republished in Paris by Le Clerc in 1736 without Telemann's permission. It would seem that this prompted him to make a long-awaited visit to the French capital where he stayed for eight months in 1737-38. While there, he composed a second glorious set of quartets, naming his two collections Quadri and Nouveaux Quatuors. In the latter part of the 20th century, the editors of the Telemann Musikalische Werke titled the two sets collectively as The Paris Quartets, by which name we still know them. As their extended title indicates, the Quadri are not six works of the same genre. Instead, they comprise two Italianate concertos, two German-style sonatas, and two Balletti or suites of French dances, bringing together a variety of national styles. The ensemble of London Handel Players is flexible in size, consisting primarily of strings, flute/recorder, and harpsichord. The featured musicians on SOMM's first volume of the Paris Quartets by Telemann are Rachel Brown, flute; Adrian Butterfield, violin; Gavin Kibble, viola da gamba; Sarah McMahon, cello; and Silas Wollston, harpsichord. The London Handel Players' critically acclaimed discography for SOMM includes five discs of Handel chamber music: his Trio sonatas Opp. 2 (SOMMCD 084) and 5 (SOMMCD 044); his Complete Sonatas and Works for Violin & Continuo (SOMMCD 068); and two volumes titled Handel at Home (SOMMCD 055) and Total Eclipse, Handel at Home Vol. 2 (SOMMCD 0676).   David Vickers, reviewing Handel at Home for Gramophone, wrote, "Their consummate musicianship is consistently delightful: sparkling violin-playing (often with two players in perfect unison) and superb continuo contributions are just as impressive as Rachel Brown's poetic flute solos."

Tracklist 27 tracks

  1. 1 I. Grave - Allegro - Grave - Allegro 02:46
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Grave - Allegro - Grave - Allegro
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  2. 2 II. Largo 00:30
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Largo
    Duration
    00:30
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  3. 3 III. Presto - 02:25
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Presto -
    Duration
    02:25
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  4. 4 III. Largo 00:33
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Largo
    Duration
    00:33
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  5. 5 IV. Allegro 04:03
    Track
    5
    Title
    IV. Allegro
    Duration
    04:03
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  6. 6 I. Prélude: Vivement - Adagio 01:28
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Prélude: Vivement - Adagio
    Duration
    01:28
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  7. 7 II. Rigaudon 02:34
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Rigaudon
    Duration
    02:34
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  8. 8 III. Air 03:12
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Air
    Duration
    03:12
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  9. 9 IV. Réplique 02:43
    Track
    9
    Title
    IV. Réplique
    Duration
    02:43
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  10. 10 V. Menuet 1 - VI. Menuet 2 05:41
    Track
    10
    Title
    V. Menuet 1 - VI. Menuet 2
    Duration
    05:41
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  11. 11 VII. Gigue 03:02
    Track
    11
    Title
    VII. Gigue
    Duration
    03:02
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  12. 12 I. Andante 02:47
    Track
    12
    Title
    I. Andante
    Duration
    02:47
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  13. 13 II. Allegro 02:33
    Track
    13
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    02:33
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  14. 14 III. Largo 02:54
    Track
    14
    Title
    III. Largo
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  15. 15 IV. Allegro 02:52
    Track
    15
    Title
    IV. Allegro
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  16. 16 I. Allegro 03:57
    Track
    16
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    03:57
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  17. 17 II. Affettuoso 03:30
    Track
    17
    Title
    II. Affettuoso
    Duration
    03:30
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  18. 18 III. Vivace 04:04
    Track
    18
    Title
    III. Vivace
    Duration
    04:04
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  19. 19 I. Prélude: Gaiment 01:24
    Track
    19
    Title
    I. Prélude: Gaiment
    Duration
    01:24
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  20. 20 II. Air: Modérément 02:01
    Track
    20
    Title
    II. Air: Modérément
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  21. 21 III. Réjoüissance 01:58
    Track
    21
    Title
    III. Réjoüissance
    Duration
    01:58
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  22. 22 IV. Courante 02:17
    Track
    22
    Title
    IV. Courante
    Duration
    02:17
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  23. 23 V. Passepied 02:16
    Track
    23
    Title
    V. Passepied
    Duration
    02:16
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  24. 24 I. Soave 03:19
    Track
    24
    Title
    I. Soave
    Duration
    03:19
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  25. 25 II. Allegro 02:22
    Track
    25
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    02:22
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  26. 26 III. Andante 04:03
    Track
    26
    Title
    III. Andante
    Duration
    04:03
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players
  27. 27 IV. Vivace 02:35
    Track
    27
    Title
    IV. Vivace
    Duration
    02:35
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    London Handel Players