Tafelmusik - A Baroque Feast (2002)

1. Handel: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, from Solomon
2. Handel: Concerto for Harp In B-Flat Major: I. Andante Allegro
3. Handel: Concerto for Harp In B-Flat Major: II. Larghetto
4. Handel: Concerto for Harp In B-Flat Major: III. Allegro Moderato
5. Purcell: Suite from Abdelzar: I. Rondeau
6. Purcell: Suite from Abdelzar: II. Air
7. Purcell: Suite from Abdelzar: III. Minuet
8. Purcell Suite from Abdelzar: IV. Jig
9. Purcell: Suite from Abdelzar: V. Hornpipe
10. Purcell: Suite from Abdelzar: VI. Air
11. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Cellos In G Minor, RV 531: I. Allegro
12. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Cellos In G Minor, RV 531: II. Largo
13. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Cellos In G Minor, RV 531: III. Allegro
14. Bach: Sinfonia In D Minor from Cantata 42
15. Locatelli: Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1, No. 8: I. Largo - Grave - Vivace - Grave
16. Locatelli: Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1, No. 8: II. Largo Andante
17. Locatelli: Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1, No. 8: III. Andante
18. Locatelli: Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1, No. 8: IV. Pastorale: Largo Andante
19. Marcello: Concerto for Oboe In D Minor: I. Andante e Spiccato
20. Marcello: Concerto for Oboe In D Minor: II. Adagio
21. Marcello: Concerto for Oboe In D Minor: III. Presto
22. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins In a Minor, Op. 3, No. 8: I. Allegro
23. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins In a Minor, Op. 3, No. 8: II. Larghetto e Spiritoso
24. Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins In a Minor, Op. 3, No. 8: III. Allegro 

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
John Abberger, oboe
Maxime Eilander, harp
Geneviève Gilardeau, violin
Christinal Mahler, cello
Allen Whear, cello 
Jeanne Lamon, violin & direction

An exquisite feast of masterpieces from the Baroque repertoire, served on a silver platter by one of the best chamber orchestras in the world: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Once again, Tafelmusik's soloists display their art with typical gusto. This CD is definitely a pièce de résistance for any good music library. ---- tafelmusik.org

Even people who don't normally listen to classical music seem to love the singable melodies and effervescent rhythms that characterize much of the Baroque orchestral repertoire. Certain works have become favorites of television commercial and film producers, and chamber orchestras everywhere endlessly program selections from Handel's Water Music, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Albinoni's Adagio, and various works by Purcell, Locatelli, and Marcello--along with that dreadful and highly overrated "canon" by that guy whose name begins with "P". Most of these composers (thankfully not Pachelbel) are represented here, on this perfectly fine if just a little too-familiar program that features Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Purcell's Suite from Abdelazar, and Vivaldi's A minor concerto for two violins Op. 3 No. 8. To the producers' credit, the disc also includes some less-commonly-heard selections such as Handel's lovely Concerto for harp in B-flat major and Marcello's Oboe concerto in D minor. We're also treated to the richly scored, melodically engaging Op. 1 No. 8 Concerto grosso in F minor by Locatelli and to a lovely Sinfonia by Bach (from his Cantata No. 42). Overall, the program has a musical coherence and a pleasing sonic quality that encourages easy and pleasant listening.

Of course, the Toronto-based Tafelmusik, one of North America's two or three top-rank period-style orchestras, delivers these Baroque staples with interpretive authority and impressive yet thankfully unadorned technique, giving careful attention to line in the slow movements and keeping rhythms and articulation crisp in the fast ones. The solo playing is first-rate (particularly the harp and oboe), and the sound gives desirable presence and clarity to the varied instrumental configurations. If you're looking for a very well-played, intelligently programmed recording of attractive Baroque orchestral music, look no further. --David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

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