Emmanuel Pahud and his colleagues in the Berliner Barock Solisten turn in immaculate and stylish performances of these elegant concertos. They sound particularly impressive in the A major Concerto for Flute, Violin, Cello, and Strings from Telemann’s Musique de Table–which, at nearly 20 minutes’ length and structured in four movements (as are all of these works), is a major piece by any standard.
Among today’s flutists, Pahud stands out for his huge tone and impressive dynamic range, qualities that are very much in evidence here. Still, he’s a sensitive partner in the works for multiple soloists, nowhere more so than in the very interesting Concerto for 2 Flutes, Violone, and Strings in A minor, which (according to EMI) here receives its first recording. Also new to disc, the G major Flute Concerto had to be reconstructed from a seriously corrupted manuscript, and it makes a worthy addition to the Telemann canon. Fine recorded sound rounds out a surprisingly varied and appealing release that, while admirably showcasing Pahud’s artistry, presents him with sufficient variety and contrast so that sustained listening remains a pleasure rather than a chore. First rate.
