The Art of the Baroque Trumpet � Vol. 4

"After three wonderful recordings by Niklas Eklund (Sept/Oct 1998:284), it is no surprise to hear more of the same here. Performing on baroque trumpet (valveless but with one or more tone holes for trills and intonation correction), Eklund shows exquisite taste, elegance of articulation, tonal purity, and virtuoso technique in these accounts of works by German composers. Each is given a reading full of nuance and attention to detail. This account of Telemann's familiar Concerto 2 has the best balance between trumpet, two oboes, and bassoon I have heard." --American Record Guide, August 2000

Great Baroque Masterpieces (10-CD Box Set)

Baroque music describes the period in Western classical music dating from approximately 1600 to 1750. The Baroque period saw the development of functional tonality, as well as new instrumental playing techniques and musical notation. It was during this time that opera was established as a musical genre, and the period also saw the expansion of the range and complexity of instrumental performance.

This collection concentrates on the instrumental music of the period. No survey of the Baroque would be complete without the music of JS Bach, whose Brandenburg concertos are commonly regarded as the apex of Baroque music. The radiant concertos of Vivaldi demonstrate the exhilarating range of instrumental colour that flourished at this time and contrast with the orchestral zest of Handel�s robust Water Music. From classical favourites such Pachelbel�s Canon and Albinoni�s Adagio, to Concerti Grossi from composers as diverse as Corelli, Handel, Locatelli and Geminiani, this set is the perfect compilation of works from this most fascinating of eras.

The Trio Sonata in 18th-Century Germany

�with the exception of Goldberg's sonata these compositions are not that well-known and that makes this disc a worthwhile addition to the discography. That is even more the case in consideration of the performances. London Baroque is one of the older ensembles in the world of historical performance practice. It is still going strong, and it is remarkable how it has kept its high standard over so many years.� --MusicWeb International, 6th September 2013

London Baroque

The closing disc in London Baroque�s survey of the rise and fall of the trio sonata.

Looking back over this eight-disc series, which opened with three Fantasias composed before 1620 by Orlando Gibbons, it becomes clear how far London Baroque has travelled. The series has taken in both staples of the repertoire and more or less unknown jewels, by composers still revered today or awaiting rediscovery.

Telemann & 18th C. Dance Manuscript

"The disc makes fascinating listening (�) The Holland Baroque Society performs Telemann with vigour and panache. Recorded sound is vivid." --International Record Review

"(�) these are lively performances: the two guests bring a lot of spirit to their work, and the ensemble players are clearly cought up in the fun." --American Record Guide

"(...) All the music here is exotic and very entertaining and the performances are very lively (...) this collection is a real eye-opener." --Musicweb international

It goes without saying that Telemann had a thorough command of the French and Italian styles. Countless ensembles, including ours, have played such pieces. In �Barbaric Beauty� we follow a completely different path by focussing on Telemann's Polish style. At least, this is how he described the pieces he wrote after discovering the music played along the Polish-Hungarian border. It was at the beginning of his career, when he was just 25 years old, that he heard sounds that were to inspire him throughout his life.

On this recording Holland Baroque Society meets Milo� Valent - specialist both in Baroque music and 18th-century Central- European folk music. They play folk music from the heart of Europe, and Baroque music influenced by folk music from Telemann, among others. This program demonstrates the centuries-old influence of �popular� music on �art� music: a kind of world-music avant la lettre. Supported by cimbalon-player and flautist Jan Rokyta, Holland Baroque Society and Valent show the influence of folk music on baroque art-music, and highlight two important aspects shared by both styles: �groove� and improvisation. Alongside the Concerto �Polonois�, they present dance music from the folk-music collection Melodarium/ Szirmay-Keczer, melodies and dances from the Uhrovec Collection (1730), collections from which Telemann chose his favourite folk tunes. Beyond this, you never quite know what'll happen when Milo� arrives�