Search - Georg Philipp Telemann, Reinhard Goebel, Musica Antiqua Köln :: Telemann: Tafelmusik (Banquet Music) (Selections)

Majestic Sound, Emphasis on the Strings

Leslie Richford | Selsingen, Lower Saxony | 02/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Georg Philipp Telemann (1681 - 1767): Musique de Table (Banquet Music). Selections. Performed by Musica Antiqua Köln [Cologne] on authentic instruments. Directed by Reinhard Goebel. Recorded in the "Sendesaal" of the Deutschlandfunk [German National Radio] in Cologne, Germany in April and June 1988. This selection published in 1990 as Deutsche Grammophon Archiv 429 774-2. Total playing time: 75 minutes.



In 1988, Reinhard Goebel and his Musica Antiqua Köln recorded the three "productions" of Telemann's "Tafelmusik" (the original title was in French, "Musique de Table") in their entirety using an extended chamber ensemble with flute, two oboes, six violins, two violas, one each of cello and violone and a harpsichord. This recording was published in the form of a 4CD box which has been constantly available since then, unfortunately in the highest price range (Telemann: Tafelmusik (Musique de Table partagée en Trois Productions)). However, Reinhard Goebel soon made this selection available, ensuring that even those who could not or would not spend the not inconsiderable sum required for the full set could at least get a taste of what Musica Antiqua Köln had to offer. Each of Telemann's three "Productions" consists of six pieces: an overture, a "quatuor", a concerto, a trio, a "solo" (with basso continuo) and a "Conclusion" in the same key as the overture. In order to provide a sound series of selections, Reinhard Goebel has preserved this order here, but taken the pieces from all three "Productions": the Overture, the Quatuor and the Conclusion are from the Third Production, the Concerto and Solo from the Second Production and the Trio is taken from the First Production. The result is not only balanced but also very pleasing to the ear. The fact that Goebel himself is a violinist, coupled with his employment of three violins per part, tends to put the emphasis on the strings rather than the woodwind, but this is not necessarily a disadvantage and I found myself listening with delight, especially to Goebel himself who is a distinguished and extremely elegant player.



In contrast, the 90's recording of the whole work by flautist Konrad Hünteler and his Camerata of the 18th Century (fielding musicians taken from Frans Brüggen's Orchestra of the 18th Century) uses only one player to a part and, consequently, puts the emphasis more on the flute and/or oboe when these are included. Comparing both recordings, I decided that ultimately, I would probably prefer the newer recording by Hünteler, but Goebel (and the excellent Deutsche Grammophon engineering) made the choice extremely difficult. In the end, I suppose, it is a matter of taste. The Goebel sounds a little more majestic, the Hünteler has a clarity which is clear as glass - and his slightly more up-tempo version of the Concerto for Three Violins was what finally persuaded me that if I were allowed to have only one version, it would be the Hünteler (on the German audiophile label MDG). But I cannot imagine that anyone coming to this music for the first time could be anything but enchanted by the Goebel version which deserves five stars just as much as the Hünteler (Telemann: Musique de Table)."

A truly outstanding recording!

Leslie Richford | 07/31/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must recommend this incredible recording of Telemann's Tafelmusik. Musica Antiqua Köln's playing is as usual phenomenal! The character of each piece, whether it is an ouverture or a trio, is very clear and convinvincing. The way Goebel brings out the sheer beauty of the ouvertures is striking.This is a must have for the early-music lover. And everybody else too!"