Munchner Cammer-Music - Telemann: 12 Solos a Violon ou Traversiere avec la Basse Chiffree (2005)

The XII Solos à Violon où Traversiere avec la basse chiffrée were published by Telemann in 1734. These 12 works conform to the church sonata pattern of four movements in slow-fast-slow-fast pattern. The works are carefully written so that either violin or flute could take the solo role in any of them. The movements are varied in Telemann’s usual mixture of French, Italian, and German styles, with the occasional Polish-inspired movement thrown in for good measure.

The Münchner Cammer-Music is a group that had been newly formed from the Early Music Department of the University of the School of Music and Performing Arts in Munich in 2004, at the time this recording was made. They are obviously expert musicians. Although they have only recently come together as an ensemble, they play with precision and sound as if they have been making music together for a considerable period. The 12 works are divided between violin and flute. The performances are well paced, with no extremes of tempo. The recording is miked very closely, so much so that we occasionally hear the flutist’s tone go slightly sour. In keeping with the current fad in period-instrument practice, in which no Baroque recording is complete unless it uses a plucked instrument, four sonatas are accompanied by a theorbo and four by a lute.

These works are not otherwise available. Fortunately for us, the Münchner Cammer-Music has given us performances that do full justice to these compositions. For those wishing to expand their collections of Telemann chamber music, or anyone interested in Baroque chamber music in general, these discs are worth acquiring.