Georg Philipp Telemann: Œuvres pour clavier

Think of Telemann’s music, and his keyboard repertoire probably won’t immediately spring to mind. His considerable output reveals, however, a penchant for an instrument on which he had only 15 days of formal lessons. A selection of his numerous pieces feature in Olivier Baumont’s new recording. The French-style ‘ouverture’ in G major TWV 32:13 is recorded here for the first time on a gorgeous Goermans two-manual harpsichord of 1774, while two Italian instruments of c1720 and c1610, are used to characterise six of Telemann’s 36 fantasias. Concluding with three versions of Johann Crüger’s 1653 chorale melody ‘Jesu meine Freude’ this disc fills a void in listeners’ libraries. Baumont’s performances are suitably tasteful in a recording that is thoughtfully and attractively assembled.

Katharine May Read the full review on Agora Classica