Search - Georg Philipp Telemann, Golden Age Orchestra :: Telemann: Musique de Table (Tafelmusik) (Box Set)

Not A First Choice

John Middleton | Auckland, NZ | 03/23/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Telemann's epic Tafelmusik is an amazing achievement by anyone's standard. Unfortunately the present recording doesn't really do it for me. The playing is not distinguished and there is some less than desirable intonation, especially from the woodwind. Better to try the Harnoncourt, Hunteler (with The Camerata of the 18th Century), or (if you like to eat fast) Goebel. There are still not that many complete recordings available to choose from, which begs the rather obvious question - when will Jeanne Lamon and her wonderful group ,Tafelmusik, do it?"

Very enjoyable CDS, especially for the price

Laraine A. Barker | New Zealand | 04/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you want better performances of Telemann's Tafelmusik than the ones here, you're almost certainly going to have to pay much more for them. Considering their amazingly low price, these are very enjoyable CDs. Some people might find the one-instrument-to-a-part approach rather lightweight, especially in the "grander" pieces, but frankly I nearly always find I prefer it when applied to Baroque music. Too many instruments gives a sound that is too homogenous for my taste, though the effect is lessened when "period" instruments are used. And this is, after all, meant to be dinner music. People usually like to enjoy conversation during dinner and, let's face it, if you can't hear what your fellow diners are saying it spoils the whole dining experience. There are indeed occasional flaws in the ensemble playing but they still don't detract from an overall highly enjoyable set of wonderful music from a composer who is still not rated as highly as he deserves."