Telemann: Barbaric Beauty 18th Century Dance Transcriptions

Featuring

Miloš Valent
Jan Rokyta
Holland Baroque
Georg Philipp Telemann

Did you know?

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Compositional Technique

Telemann was particularly interested in the improvisations of folk musicians, noting their "brilliant ideas" when freed from the strict meter of dance music.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded in March 2011 at Westvest, Schiedam, The Netherlands, using high-quality recording equipment including Bruel & Kjaer 4006 and Schoeps microphones, and DSD Super Audio digital converters.

Instruments

Pantaleon Hebenstreit, a contemporary of Telemann, invented a giant cymbal called the Pantaleon, which was nearly three meters long and had 185 gut strings, and was named after him by King Louis XIV.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Telemann, at age 25, was inspired by the "barbaric beauty" of Polish and Hanak (Czech from Moravia) folk music he encountered, which influenced his compositions for the rest of his life.

Compositional Technique

Telemann believed that by transcribing the folk music he heard, one could gather enough musical ideas for a lifetime, and he later incorporated these styles into his large-scale concertos and trios, giving them an "Italian look" with alternating Adagios and Allegros.

Performer Biography

Miloš Valent, the violinist on this album, has roots in folklore tradition and improvising skills, leading him to perform early music as well as various crossover projects with jazz musicians.

Instruments

The Hackbrett, also known as a dulcimer or cymbal, was used in the 18th century, and Telemann collaborated with Pantaleon Hebenstreit, a celebrated violinist and esteemed cymbalist.