Fasch / Gardellino Concertos For Various Instruments CD

Fasch: Concertos For Various Instrument / Il Gardellino, Composer: Johann Friedrich Fasch, Orchestra/Ensemble: Il Gardellino, Number of Discs: 1. Johann Friedrich Fasch was by all accounts a composer of considerable importance, a good friend of Telemann, and a man whose scores J. S. Bach sought out. Lack of publication is responsible for the eclipse of his reputation and music. Like Graupner in Hesse-Darmstadt, Fasch in Zerbst served a court that insisted on full ownership in perpetuity over the works he composed for it. Though much of his sacred music was lost during Allied bombing raids in 1945, Fasch's instrumental music has fared better. The Zerbst court library is extant and accessible, while the scores Fasch sent to his friends are now held at state and university libraries in Dresden and Darmstadt. The music heard here is sophisticated, at times experimental in it's instrumental combinations and sinfonia concertante-like episodes. The concertos are all in three movements (save for one, a Concerto in G in four movements), but they explore a range of individual solutions to the division between multiple soloists and ritornello. The music is always engaging, frequently irregular in it's melodic and harmonic construction, and well worth more than one hearing. The performances are equally good. Fans of Il Gardellino will know what to expect: clear and varied textures, sensuous sound, unfussy but scholarly performances with much attention paid to phrasing. The core group of six musicians is joined by 14 others, providing a broad range of dynamics and colors. I'm especially pleased that they don't push slow movements, but allow them to form sections of proper repose between two considerably faster movements. With excellent sound, this is definitely a keeper. - FANFARE: Barry Brenesal

1. Concerto for 3 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Solo Violin, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D3: Allegro 2. Concerto for 3 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Solo Violin, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D3: Andante 3. Concerto for 3 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Solo Violin, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D3: Allegro 4. Concerto for Flute ; Oboe in B minor: Allegro 5. Concerto for Flute ; Oboe in B minor: Largo 6. Concerto for Flute ; Oboe in B minor: Allegro 7. Concerto for 2 Oboes Da Silva, 2 Violas, 2 Bassoons ; B.C. in G Major, Fawv L:G11: Un Poco Allegro 8. Concerto for 2 Oboes Da Silva, 2 Violas, 2 Bassoons ; B.C. in G Major, Fawv L:G11: Air 9. Concerto for 2 Oboes Da Silva, 2 Violas, 2 Bassoons ; B.C. in G Major, Fawv L:G11: Allegro 10. Concerto for 2 Oboes Da Silva, 2 Violas, 2 Bassoons ; B.C. in G Major, Fawv L:G11: Manuet Alternativement 11. Concerto for 2 Flutes, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D9: Allegro 12. Concerto for 2 Flutes, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D9: Andante 13. Concerto for 2 Flutes, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D9: Allegro 14. Concerto for Bassoon Solo, 2 Oboes, Strings ; B.C. in C minor, Fawv L:C2: Allegro 15. Concerto for Bassoon Solo, 2 Oboes, Strings ; B.C. in C minor, Fawv L:C2: Largo 16. Concerto for Bassoon Solo, 2 Oboes, Strings ; B.C. in C minor, Fawv L:C2: Allegro 17. Concerto for Trumpet Solo, 2 Oboes, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D1: Allegro 18. Concerto for Trumpet Solo, 2 Oboes, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D1: Largo 19. Concerto for Trumpet Solo, 2 Oboes, Strings ; B.C. in D Major, Fawv L:D1: Allegro (Tempo Di Menuetto)