Search - Telemann, Rothert, Umbach :: Suite & Concertos for Recorder

Getting More Than You Pay For

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 01/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Since this is an exceptionally fair price to pay for some of Telemann's most famous recorder works I though I would do what I rarely do, which is undertake to review classical music. I've heard three different musicians perform these pieces, and played them myself, and it is interesting to compare the soloists and the approaches taken to the balancing of the string consort with the recorder (not counting me, of course).



The musicians in question are Michala Petri (now hard to find), Franz Bruggen (just about impossible to find), and here Daniel Rothert. Bruggen is more of a 'force' at the recorder than the other two, and most of his recordings tend to be more emotional rather than technically brilliant. Since Bruggen was almost single-handedly responsible for the resurgence of the recorder as an instrument I tend to forgive most of his sins. And, after all, he really was a fine player.



Petri really owns this music. She has the most polished tone and technique of any recorder player I've heard, and an exquisite sense of phrasing. I have only two issues with her. The first is that she tends to rush, which sometimes blurs an arpeggio or detailed passage. The second is that her tone is very restrained, and she will sometimes blend into the accompaniment just when you want to hear the details of her work.



Rothert, on this recording, is the great compromise. The recorder chosen for these pieces has a darker tone than Petri's, but has a bit less color than Bruggen's preferred instruments. Rothert also forces his notes more than Petri, which sometimes brings a high not into unexpected prominence. This is particularily noticable in the A minor Suite, which has one or two great leaps of recorder faith. Rothert does the best job of balancing with the strings, never getting lost in the shuffle. He is an admirable technician, one that may not take the risks that Petri does but who impresses nonetheless.



If you are looking for an extremely cost friendly way to add these pices to your collection, you will be greatly pleased with this purchase."