This fine recording of the rarely-heard and very easy on the ears Op. 2 trio sonatas by Dietrich Buxtehude originally was released on Dacapo in the mid-1990s. Characterized by lively, tuneful allegros (built from expertly designed and executed contrapuntal structures) and slow movements notable not only for their harmonic and melodic sophistication but also for their rich emotional content, these pieces deserve attention commonly reserved for other more familiar Baroque chamber music, even if they may stand a few rungs down on the ladder of genius from those occupied by Vivaldi, Telemann, Handel, and Bach (listed in ascending order, of course).
The seven Op. 1 sonatas, written for the same configuration of instruments, are discussed in an earlier review (type Q9110 in Search Reviews), and these seven follow a similar path, keeping things interesting by juxtaposing fairly strict form with more improvisatory, fantasia-type passages and movements that offer soloists a chance to show off–and that keep listeners on their toes with punchy dance rhythms and occasional chromatic surprises. One of the disc’s highlights in this regard comes in the Sonata No. 5, where both violin and viola da gamba have true virtuoso solo turns in successive movements, and not surprisingly violinist John Holloway and gambist Jaap ter Linden dispatch their lines with complete confidence and no small amount of excitement. The sound is a bit swampy, depriving the performances of the clear detail we expect from today’s best chamber music recordings–but it’s not hard to adjust to, and the music’s infectiousness soon overcomes any sonic shortcomings.
