Search - Il Fondamento/Dombrecht, Pau, Johann Friedrich Fasch :: Johann Friedrich Fasch: Ouvertures in G minor, D minor and G major

Outstanding Fasch!

Morten Fuglestad | Norway | 12/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is perhaps the best proof there is that Johann Friedrich Fasch is one of the major composers of all times.



Born around the time of Johann Sebastian Bach, Handel and Telemann offers stiff competition in the field, and certainly Fasch has not been over-exposed in today's recording industry. But there is really no reason why Fasch should lead such a subdued existence in our musical consciousness, as this CD will show you.



Fasch led a drifting life in Central Europe before he settled at Zerbst in Anhalt. This, in many ways, tragic musician, excelled in his ouvertures. Where Telemann would put in catching tunes and glimpses of national character, and Graupner would play out a panoply of colours and wit, the overtures of Fasch are monumental and awe-inspiring works of ingenious structures and music of impenetrable depth.



At times Fasch is shocking in his directness, at other times his music may be quite enigmatic, but always rewarding. In his overtures there is an immediate tone of Fasch's strong personality, and Dombrecht is exactly the right man to interpret this, at times both stubbornly idiosyncratic and over-flowingly sensual music.



Il Fondamanto's playing is second to none, and leaves competitors in the Overture in g minor, i.e. The English Concert/Pinnock (ARCHIV), way behind them. They play distinctly and with a precision few, if any can match.



This is music you simply must have. For most of us this CD will open doors to new sound-worlds."