Telemann’s Garden

Elephant House Quartet

Suite a-moll TWV 42: a3 für Flöte, Violine, Bc; Quartett Nr. 3 G-Dur TWV 43: G4 für Flöte, Violine, Viola da gamba, Bc "Pariser Quartett"; Triosonate Nr. 3 a-moll TWV 42: a4 für Blockflöte, Violine, Bc aus "Essercizii musici"; Lentement aus Fantasie Nr. 7 a-moll TWV 33: 19 für Cembalo; Siciliana aus Fantasie Nr. 9 h-moll TWV 40: 22 für Violine solo; Fantasie Nr. 1 A-Dur TWV 40: 2 für Flöte solo; Recitativo & Arioso aus Sonate für Viola da gamba & Bc TWV 41: e5 aus "Essercizii musici"

Elephant House Quartet invites the listener for a stroll through the colourful oeuvre of Telemann — himself a gardening enthusiast — presenting a bouquet of chamber musical jewels. Telemann’s Garden ranges from excerpts of solo fantasias for violin, flute and harpsichord to a sonata for viola da gamba and basso continuo, a trio sonata for violin, recorder and basso continuo, a suite for violin, flute and basso continuo, as well as one of the quartets Telemann wrote during his Paris sojourns. These pieces together constitute a fascinating portrait of one of the most prolific and successful composers of the Baroque era.

Elephant House Quartet is a Baroque ensemble featuring virtuosos on each instrument in wonderful interaction, consisting of recorder player Bolette Roed, violinist Aureliusz Golinski, gambist Reiko Ichise and harpsichordist Allan Rasmussen. Telemann’s Garden marks their PENTATONE debut.

May/June 2020

There is no reason not to give this disc a full recommendation. The program has been chosen well, to emphasize variety and charm. The ensemble works are characterized by equity amongst the performers, and the solo interludes are characterized by their concentration and their pure sound. This debut is a delight in every way.