Telemann Alla Polacca

Telemann Alla Polacca
Rebel
Dirian Recordings
(DOR-90302)

Although French and Italian styles of music were the most popular of the day, the German Telemann, after being appointed Kapellmeister in 1705 to the court of Count Erdmann II of Promnitz (present-day Zary in Poland), fell in love with the sound of Polish folk music. He incorporated this earthy instrumental color into his own compositions and encompassed them in a mixed flavor of style and taste.

The "polacca" was a popular Polish dance in 3/4 time whose rhythms were used by other composers of the time, such as J.S. Bach. But Telemann used the polacca to signal the use of Polish idioms. Subsequently, all of the concerti on this CD are French or Italian in name only.

In this CD, the Baroque ensemble Rebel (pronounced "Re-BEL"), led by violin virtuoso Jörg-Michael Schwarz, artfully captures all of the defining characteristics of Telemann's music. The songs' stately rhythms and persistent patterns, as well as their ruggedness and rustic tones, are played beautifully and with great expressiveness here. Especially pleasing is the suite for "Flute Pastourelle." The name suggests some sort of rustic pipe and, in the recording, Matthias Maute plays a replica of a sixth-pitched flute which lends the piece a folkloric style and tonality.

The spirited exuberance of the ensemble's dynamic performance is a real treat, made all the more pleasing by Dorian's 24-bit recording. Telemann's unique style, along with his love of Polish themes, are rendered faithfully here in this stylish and most impressive CD.

--Ian Rotondi