G.P. Telemann: Fantasias for Viola da Gamba

G.P. Telemann: Fantasias for Viola da Gamba

Regular price £12.99
Total playing time [79:15]

Listen on Apple Music    Listen on Spotify
Robert Smith (viola da gamba)

Lost to the world for centuries, the recent rediscovery in 2015 of Georg Philipp Telemann’s twelve Fantasias for viola da gamba represents a major addition to the solo repertoire of the instrument.

In the year of the 250th anniversary of Telemann’s death, acclaimed Amsterdam-based gambist Robert Smith brings these long forgotten works back to life with this striking recording of the complete set of twelve fantasias in a vital addition to the Telemann discography - one of earliest recordings of these eagerly anticipated works.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

Fantasia No. 1 in C minor, TWV 40:26
1. Adagio – Allegro – Adagio – Allegro
2. Allegro

Fantasia No. 2 in D major, TWV 40:27
3. Vivace & Andante
4. Presto

Fantasia No. 3 in E minor, TWV 40:28
5. Largo
6. Presto
7. Vivace

Fantasia No. 4 in F major, TWV 40:29
8. Vivace
9. Grave
10. Allegro

Fantasia No. 5 in B flat major, TWV 40:30
11. Allegro
12. Largo
13. Allegro

Fantasia No. 6 in G major, TWV 40:31
14. Scherzando
15. Dolce
16. Spirituoso

Fantasia No. 7 in G minor, TWV 40:32
17. Andante
18. Vivace
19. Allegro

Fantasia No. 8 in A major, TWV 40:33
20. Allegro
21. Grave
22. Vivace

Fantasia No. 9 in C major, TWV 40:34
23. Presto
24. Grave
25. Allegro

Fantasia No. 10 in E major, TWV 40:35
26. Dolce – Allegro – Dolce – Allegro
27. Siciliana
28. Scherzando

Fantasia No. 11 in D minor, TWV 40:36
29. Allegro
30. Grave
31. Allegro

Fantasia No. 12 in E flat major, TWV 40:37
32. Andante
33. Allegro
34. Vivace

'Whatever the [music's] mood, this is playing of exceptional quality. Robert Smith navigates each piece with clear-eyed musicality, always weaving a beautifully sonorous, coherent line through Telemann’s rich invention.'

- The Observer

'[...] the expressive which [Smith] brings to these attractive pieces together with a feeling for rhetoric and an accomplished technique deserve to win many friends. The sound is excellent and Smith has provided an elegantly written introduction'
BBC Music Magazine (5 stars, performance & recording)

'Whatever the [music's] mood, this is playing of exceptional quality. Robert Smith navigates each piece with clear-eyed musicality, always weaving a beautifully sonorous, coherent line through Telemann’s rich invention.'
The Observer

'[...] this new version by the British gambist Robert Smith, which unfolds in a kindly acoustic in which clarity and bloom are allowed just the right balance. The playing, too, is a treat, sent into the world via a sound that is mellow and silvery but never thin or wispy. Few of the movements are longer than three minutes but Smith navigates Telemann’s fleeting moods with assurance and focus'
Gramophone

'Under Smith’s experienced, marvellously sensitive hands, these works burst into life, and a dazzling array of invention and technique is unfolded before the listener. Smith’s particular talent is to allow the instrument to speak with total naturalness, keeping the music rhythmically buoyant and skilfully applying subtle rubato'
Europadisc

'[Smith's] playing is thoroughly engaging, and clearly happily engaged with this music, you can sense his delight in some of the little turns of phrase. His tone is beautifully elegant, you might even say silvery, and matches the fluidity of Telemann's writing.'
Planet Hugill

'For Telemann enthusiasts this album will be major news, and it's listenable for anyone [...] Smith has performed a valuable service by unearthing them'
All Music

'[...] this is a very welcome release. Sensitively interepreted by Robert Smith and recorded in a beautiful church acoustic this haunting music is to be recommended.'
Lark Reviews

Credits
© 2017 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2017 Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10195
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262791004
Cover image: Instrument detail © Resonus Classics