Telemann: Flute Concertos; Emmanuel Pahud

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Music reviews of Telemann: Flute Concertos; Emmanuel Pahud

Music Review: Pahud makes a strong case, with two debut recordings
Rating: 5 Stars

The five pieces heard in this compilation were composed over a period of more than 20 years and fully demonstrate Telemann's engagement with the concerto genre. In each of the five works almost every member in the orchestras at Telemann's disposal was capable of taking solo parts. The beauty of sound springs forth from the combination with softer tone of instruments such as oboe d'amore, viola d'amore or violone, which enhance the flute's brilliance and crispness, while an often astonishing playfulness could develop in the high registers when Telemann introduced a second flute or a violin, as manifested obviously in the Concerto for Flute, Violin, Cello, Strings and Continuo in A from "Musique de Table I" (5-8).

Concerto for Flute, Strings and Continuo in G (1-4) is a first recording because the only manuscript copy of the parts was in an extremely poor condition that the piece was sadly considered unplayable (until 2000). The concerto was composed for oboe as well as for the transverse flute of the time. The andante movement is the most beautiful movement, so elegantly and stately executed. Pahud makes such a strong case for the first recording of this concerto.

Concerto for Flute, Violin, Cello, Strings and Continuo in A from "Musique de Table I" (5-8) is probably the most beautiful concerto in Musique de Table. The agility and swiftness of notes best suited the festive occasions for which Telemann composed in 1733. This might be the most well-known and most played piece out of this compilation. Even Handel himself performed some of the pieces and some of his own compositions (flute sonata and oboe sonata) show the inspiration of Telemann.

Concerto for Two Flutes, Violone, Strings and Continuo (9-12) is also a debut recording for the piece, with a deep, velvety tone of the violone that creates an impressive contrariety to the agility of the flutes, notably when the flutes and the violone play together in parallel for long stretches.

Concerto for Flute, Oboe d'amore, Viola d'amore, Strings and Continuo in E (13-16). The Largo in D minor forms a sharp contrast to the vivacious movements to Part 1 of Music de Table. In the Siciliano, the repeated theme and expression is achieved by repetition of three concertante instruments without the continuo.

Listen for the only concertos with a combination of flute and two other different solo instruments in the final piece of the compilation, Concerto for Flute, Strings and Continuo in D (17-20).

Overall high marks for the agility, flow, and swiftness of all the performances in this compilation.

2004 (33) © MY

Description of Telemann: Flute Concertos; Emmanuel Pahud

These performances certainly radiate infectious enjoyment. The concertos all follow the traditional form, alternating four slow and fast movements, but are infinitely diverse in tonality, texture, mood, and character. There are carefree, sprightly, playful, elegant dances, humorous imitation games, brilliant passage-work and cadenzas, startling chromaticisms, and deeply expressive melodies that beguile the ear and touch the heart. The first movement of the opening Concerto is so reminiscent of a Bach Arioso that one of the two composers must have "borrowed" it from the other. The playing is superb in a modified period-style: the pitch is normal; the sound wonderfully pure, but rich and full; tempi are designed to invite both virtuosity and leisurely enjoyment of musical and expressive details. Pahud uses a narrow, restrained vibrato that underlines the flawless beauty of his tone. The other players, all like him present or past principals of the Berlin Philharmonic, match him in the perfection of their intonation, phrasing, and ensemble. --Edith Eisler

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