Telemann: Oboe Concertos

Katkus, Donatas; Puskunigis, Andrius; St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra

Georg Philipp Telemann was one of the most prolific composers in music history, his many works however all share a freshness, originality and brilliance which shows the true genius of this too long neglected Baroque composer, a contemporary of Bach and Handel. The six concertos recorded on this release are for solo oboe or oboe’d’amore. Most of them were written in Telemann’s Hamburg period. They are clearly modeled on the concertos by Vivaldi and Albinoni, Italianate melodies of great melodic charm and beauty, alternating with brilliant figurations and instrumental virtuosity. These recordings are excellent performances by Andrius Puskunigis and his Lithuanian ensemble St. Christopher Chamber orchestra conducted by Donatas Katkus, following the principals of Historically informed Performance Practice while playing modern instruments. Puskunigis’ earlier recording of Bach Oboe Concertos received excellent reviews, praising his vitality, flexibility, and “Spielfreude.”

Price: $13.98