Here’s another splendid
CD from the excellent Tafelmusik.
Schmelzer’s music
can hardly fail to inspire – whether it’s to make you want to
dance; or make your jaw drop at the lightness of his touch in
what really are profound or very human pieces such as the Lament
on the death of Ferdinand III (tr 6); or smile at the cheeky woodwind
embellishments in the chamber sonata ‘al giorno delle correggie’
(on the day of the lash) with its unexpectedly abrupt end.
Playing period instruments
on what was a nominee for the 1994 ‘Best Classical Album, Small
Ensemble’ Juno Award, the Toronto-based Baroque specialists, Tafelmusik,
under their ever-energetic director, Jeanne Lamon, take you on
a tasty and sprightly tour of some of Schmelzer’s most engaging
music – mostly sonatas (Schmelzer played such a crucial role in
developing the form in the Germany of the mid C17th) - and with
the delightful Chaconne and French Ballet music for Nettuno
e Flora festeggianti by Cesti.
In addition to music
redolent of Monteverdi (especially in the ‘Zu der Kayserlichen’
sonata), Lully and Scheidt from the generation immediately preceding
Schmelzer’s, you’ll hear music of great inventiveness, with an
eternal spring and – nice in a relatively short ‘space’ – highly
varied music.
It’s also repertoire
in which Tafelmusik are very well at home and enjoy. Despite their
immaculate ensemble playing, the contributions of each of their
members are sparkling.
As with all these
Arkiv CDs you are getting a record company-authorised CDR at a
favourable price, a reproduction of the original cover and back
of booklet. The original liner-notes are not included.
If you’re looking
for an introduction to this highly pleasing composer, who has
such an original voice, this would be a good place to start. Several
of the items included in the present reissue are unavailable elsewhere
and likely to remain or become if not definitive, then eminently
sought-after interpretations.
Mark Sealey
SK 53963
