Musica Alta Ripa - Telemann: Overtures, Sonatas, Concertos, Vol. 2 (2004)

Volume 2 in Musica Alta Ripa and MDG's series of Telemann concertos and chamber music continues the high-caliber presentation, exciting, spirited playing, and crisp, vibrant sound that characterized the earlier volume (type Q7828 in Search Reviews). This time we hear a colorful concerto for the interesting combination of recorder and bassoon that shows some very impressive virtuoso playing from both soloists, a more conventional yet very serviceable cello concerto that's full of nice tunes, and three other pieces for strings and continuo. The most engaging of these has to be the Overture in B minor, with its lively violin solos and the wild concluding movement, titled "Rodomontade" (braggadocio). Again, we appreciate Telemann's lovely slow movements and his unfailingly catchy, foot-tapping fast music, all of which is played here with expert ensemble and ideal pacing--it's especially welcome to hear a menuet that really dances instead of drags. My only complaint is the close-up sound that occasionally takes on some harshness--particularly in the cello concerto--and that tends to overemphasize the bass. Nevertheless, this is wonderful music that should be heard by everyone who loves Baroque instrumental chamber works, and by anyone curious to become acquainted with this extraordinary yet often overlooked composer. -- David Vernier