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Telemann: Violin Sonatas - Schardt / Wand / Kemnitzer

Telemann: Violin Sonatas - Schardt / Wand / Kemnitzer

MDG Scene  903 1835-6

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Chamber


Telemann: Violin Sonatas in G minor TWV 41:g1, in D major TWV 41:D1, in B minor TWV 41:h1, in G major TWV 41:G1, in A minor TWV 41:a1, in A major TWV 41:A1; Suite in G minor TWV 41:g4

Stephan Schardt, violin
Elisabeth Wand, cello
Sonja Kemnitzer, harpsichord


Sonata Premiere
The violin was Georg Philip Telemann’s preferred instrument. Contrary to all convention, he published a collection of six duo sonatas for violin with basso continuo as his Opus 1. The creative independence documented by this move drew on his profound knowledge of contemporary styles and of course is also reflected in his own works. Stephan Schardt now for the first time has recorded these sonatas by Telemann. Along with Elisabeth Wand and Sonja Kemnitzer, he surprises us with a brilliant display of virtuosity and fine expression.

Special Pleasure
Telemann’s ideas range over a wide spectrum. Deep melancholy pervades the beginning of the Sonata in B minor, beginning with an extended introduction in the bass part. When the violin finally enters, it produces a mere single tone that does not want to end. How different things are in the gigue of the Sonata in D major, which seems to have come tumbling out of an Irish pub. It is full of witty ideas and plays with our listening expectations – while the virtuoso clearly takes special delight in the pleasure offered by this folkloristic insert.

Stylistic Perfection
Stephan Schardt is an outstanding violinist and a highly expressive musician with a superb knowledge of baroque performance style (and naturally of the relevant theoretical writings). He was the concertmaster of the Musica Antiqua Köln for many years and is a genuine windfall for this first recording. Just listen to the wealth of imagination in tasteful ornaments ranging from the simple mordent to fully prescribed repetitions! Here and there extended improvisations are found; his two fellow musicians skillfully respond to them and complement them with fabulous inspiration.

Spirited Production
Telemann’s spirited first work is also shown in its proper audio light. How could anything else be expected – given the fact that this recording has been carefully produced on SACD in genuine 2+2+2 recording style? The music very naturally detaches itself from loudspeakers and creates you-are-there listening space. As Telemann wrote, “Music wants | that a man devote himself to the whole of it.” And so we do!

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Review by John Broggio - February 24, 2014

After a comparatively rare outing on disc to the realm of the early Romantic era with David: Music for violin & piano - Schardt / Vogler, Stephan Schardt is much more "at home" in Telemann's output for violin & continuo.

The disc is subtitled "Frankfurt 1715" to give us a handle on where & when these works were composed. Although a distinction in naming is made between the naming of the last work featured on this disc and the remainder, apart from a slightly broader scope of stylistic material which gives two more movements in the suite than the sonatas, the actual structure of each comparable movement is not noticeably different; indeed, it is fascinating how freely Telemann constructs his own ideas of what constitutes a sonata (some openly incorporate dances, others outwardly eschew them).

Throughout Schardt and his fellow musicians Elizabeth Wand & Sonja Kemnitzer ably serve the music. The gigue(-like) movements in particular are given a joyful lilt that is completely captivating; the "straighter" fast movements are despatched with less of a playful spirit but are certainly no worse for that. Perhaps compared with the likes of, say, Rachel Podger the slower movements are played somewhat straight; this is not a lack of inventiveness from the trio but rather a less liberal interpretation of the scores in front of them. Some will enjoy the rather more direct approach these artists employ where others might yearn for a bit more intervention from the protagonists. This listener enjoys both approaches according to his mood and I have enjoyed returning to this disc many times already.

The sound is perhaps a little close but that is about all that can be criticised.

Recommended.

Copyright © 2014 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

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Sonics (Multichannel):

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