B’Rock opens this integral Telemann programme with the Overture in D for 2 trumpets, timpani, strings and basso continuo. In this work Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) combines French elements, which, as it were, take us to the Sun King’s court, with the more typically German counterpoint embellished with the trumpets’ festive sustained notes.
In addition to this, B’Rock selected three concerti among the several hundreds of Telemann concerti that have been preserved. Although Telemann for his part was not favourably disposed for the Italian-style concerto, and actually often expressed his preference for the French overture suite, these works are certainly of the same high quality as his overtures and are often characterized by the original choice of solo instruments. The three concerti on this programme are a nice illustration of this: besides the relatively well-known concerto ‘Die Relinge’for the classical strength of solo violin, strings and continuo there is the particularly subtle ‘Concerto in e for transverse flute and violin’. The last work on the programme is really exceptional: a concerto for no less than seven soloists: violin, 2 transverse flutes, 2 oboes and 2 trumpets, which allows him to use original and often sharply contrasting timbres!