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4.5
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681 - 1767): The Twelve Fantasias for Transverse Flute without Bass. Performed by Barthold Kuijken, transverse flute (G. A. Rottenburgh c. 1740). Recording: Sint Stefanuskerk, Melsen, the Netherlands in October 1978. (Accent claims that this is a digital recording; if that is correct, then it is a remarkable feat, as at this time, to my knowledge, only the Japanese Denon label was making digital recordings.) First published as an LP in 1981. This CD re-issue appeared in 2007 as Accent Plus ACC 10003. Total playing time: approx. 49 minutes.If I am correctly informed, Barthold Kuijken was the first flautist to record Telemann's twelve Fantasias for solo flute in their entirety. And many critics are of the opinion that his recording has remained the best until today. The listener here gets to enjoy not only a genuine Rottenburgh flute from 1740 or so, but also Barthold Kuijken's delicate art of embellishment (which always stays within 18th century parameters). So this is a great achievement by one of the Early Music scene's real pioneers! Of course, there have been many more recordings of this repertoire over the past 30 years; I have only had the opportunity to make a comparison with Claire Guimond's Telemann: Twelve fantasias for flute without bass recording for Analekta. I would hesitate to say that Ms. Guimond plays "better" than Barthold Kuijken, but the sonic progress made over the years (the Analekta is recorded nearer and clearer) and Ms. Guimond's rather more relaxed tempi led me to the conclusion that if I (as a non-flautist!) could only have one of the two recordings, it would be Claire Guimond's, despite the fact that her instrument is a copy rather than an original. However, I am actually quite glad not to have to make the choice, but to have the privilege of enjoying both of these quality recordings.
