Country : Germany Label : Harmonia Mundi Genres and styles : Baroque Year : 2022

Antoine Tamestit – Telemann: Viola Concertos

· by Frédéric Cardin

In this particularly frigid January 2022 comes a breath of warmth and sunshine with this album by the excellent Antoine Tamestit. There are not many works for viola from the Baroque period, but when there are, they are good! Bach’s 6th Brandenburg Concerto features two violas, a daring move at the time. Here’s another daring artist: Georg Philipp Telemann, probably the most prolific composer in history. A tireless jack-of-all-trades, brimming with curiosity and open-mindedness, the man with 6,000 opuses (at least) was one of the first to write true concertos for the viola, an instrument that was long seen as a necessary evil, useful for filling out a middle range between the piercing, heroic high notes of the violin and the rhythmic assurance and the comforting, reassuring roundness of the cello. Telemann made it a true soloist and highlighted the particularities of this unloved instrument. While the Italians snubbed it, Telemann, the German, gave it its first dazzling performances, in the form of concertos, a solo suite, and a trio sonata. Ironically, these works sound very ‘Italian’ in their fiery outbursts and frank, radiant melodies. The program is completed by two Overtures (suites of dances in the French style, with an ample and solemn initial movement) with a vivid, very colourful, and even humorous character: the Burlesque, which musically draws the characters of the commedia dell’arte, and La Changeante, with strongly contrasting movements and explosive dynamics. It’s a pleasure, brilliantly rendered by the soloist Antoine Tamestit, who at the same time vigorously conducts the Berlin Academy of Early Music. A disc that feels good as soon as it starts, and doesn’t stop until the last second. Yeah!

Latest 360 Content

SAT | Sci-Fi Turntablism: Soundtracking Other Worlds

SAT | Sci-Fi Turntablism: Soundtracking Other Worlds

Festival de Lanaudière | Renaud Loranger Explains The Program

Festival de Lanaudière | Renaud Loranger Explains The Program

Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)

Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)

Philippe Massé – Le Vent

Philippe Massé – Le Vent

Panda Bear – Sinister Grift

Panda Bear – Sinister Grift

SAMWOY – Diamond Eyes

SAMWOY – Diamond Eyes

Pro Musica | Marion Portelance and Emmanuel Charest, New Team on Fire

Pro Musica | Marion Portelance and Emmanuel Charest, New Team on Fire

Martin Saint – Seekers

Martin Saint – Seekers

Single of The Day: “Spirit Bomb” by Tucana

Single of The Day: “Spirit Bomb” by Tucana

Syli d’Or 2025 | Raíz Viva and Their Afro-Colombian Percussion

Syli d’Or 2025 | Raíz Viva and Their Afro-Colombian Percussion

Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling

Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

The art of entertaining: according to Gang of Four

The art of entertaining: according to Gang of Four

Centre des Musiciens de Monde brings us the martial art of singing!

Centre des Musiciens de Monde brings us the martial art of singing!

Syli d’Or 2025 | Latin America in the final with MARZOS and MATEO

Syli d’Or 2025 | Latin America in the final with MARZOS and MATEO

Syli d’Or 2025 | Reunion Island in The Running with Kozé

Syli d’Or 2025 | Reunion Island in The Running with Kozé

Frank Zappa’s Roxy & Elsewhere + Apostrophe = Rox(Postroph)y played by Dweezil’s Band

Frank Zappa’s Roxy & Elsewhere + Apostrophe = Rox(Postroph)y played by Dweezil’s Band

Jaco – Plan F

Jaco – Plan F

JACO Intends to Succeed With Its Plan F

JACO Intends to Succeed With Its Plan F

The TWO, The Unlikely Blues Duo

The TWO, The Unlikely Blues Duo

Soir de jazz symphonique à Laval

Soir de jazz symphonique à Laval

Meggie Lennon – My Best Self

Meggie Lennon – My Best Self

Critique Love… Critical Minerals in Montreal’s Underground

Critique Love… Critical Minerals in Montreal’s Underground

The Mars Volta – Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio

The Mars Volta – Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio

Subscribe to our newsletter