Telemann: Ouvertures pittoresques (2013)

A new collection of Telemann overtures or overture-suites might not seem a notable development on the face of it, but this one from the Polish historical-instrument group Arte dei Suonatori under Martin Gester breaks new ground. The subtitle "ouvertures pittoresques" doesn't quite cover what's happening. There is a pair of French suites in the classic manner, with an overture and dances. The first one, the Ouverture in D major, TWV 55:D15, has an unusually jocular movement titled "Harlequinade," but is otherwise ... Read More

A new collection of Telemann overtures or overture-suites might not seem a notable development on the face of it, but this one from the Polish historical-instrument group Arte dei Suonatori under Martin Gester breaks new ground. The subtitle "ouvertures pittoresques" doesn't quite cover what's happening. There is a pair of French suites in the classic manner, with an overture and dances. The first one, the Ouverture in D major, TWV 55:D15, has an unusually jocular movement titled "Harlequinade," but is otherwise unremarkable. The final Ouverture, jointes d'une suite tragi-comique in D major, TWV 55:D22, whose title shows how Telemann conceived of the overture and the suite as distinct components, has such novelties as a movement called "L'hypocondre" and another called "Le Petit Maître." But the rest of the pieces are even more unusual; they're not just "pittoresques," but downright exotic. It may be that these Polish musicians were attracted specifically by Telemann's music in Eastern European styles.... Read Less