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Georg Philipp Telemann was not only one of the most prolific of Baroque composers, he was also a great popularizer and pioneer in the printing of music for amateur players. The six never before recorded quartets, published by Telemann in 1733, and the cello sonata which concludes the disc, from Telemann's groundbreaking magazine Der getreue Musikmeister, are for the most part cheerful and witty; they sound like the perfect music for pick-up musicians seeking an evening's entertainment.
Mélomanie's recording suffers only a few of the faults of an impromptu evening of chamber music--some rough ensemble work and halting entrances, for example--and enjoys much of the good--the spontaneity, the crispness and concentration. Flautists Tom Moore and Kim Reighley respond sensitively and playfully to each other. The many sections where the flutes repeat each other's phrases are executed with charm and a light touch. But cellist Douglas McNames doesn't blend equally well; he digs into his sound whether he has the melody or the accompaniment.
The first three pieces seem slight, even compared to most of Telemann's chamber music, but the second set of quartets and the cello sonata are more substantial. Special notice must go to the spirited playing of the quirky Quartet no. 6 and to McNames's performance of the Cello Sonata in D. Here he is free to be the soloist he clearly is; McNames has excellent control over his instrument and delivers the most immediately emotional moments of the disc, particularly in the lento and largo. Despite the close recording (you can hear far more than the usual share of scrapes and bumps) and occasional cautious playing, Mélomanie has made a welcome addition to Telemann's discography.
~ Daniel Delgado