Germany's CPO label specializes in intensive explorations of little-known repertory, and its efforts pay off with this highly enjoyable disc of chamber music from Telemann's era. Sebastian Bodinus is still lost in the miasma of history, known mostly through his music and not much even that way. These are not all "Quadri" (quartets) as promised by the back cover, but most of them are, and if you had to guess the composer you might think they were among Telemann's Quadri -- innovative works for a mixed group of instruments ...
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Germany's CPO label specializes in intensive explorations of little-known repertory, and its efforts pay off with this highly enjoyable disc of chamber music from Telemann's era. Sebastian Bodinus is still lost in the miasma of history, known mostly through his music and not much even that way. These are not all "Quadri" (quartets) as promised by the back cover, but most of them are, and if you had to guess the composer you might think they were among Telemann's Quadri -- innovative works for a mixed group of instruments with continuo. The surprising instrumental effects bring Telemann to mind. Listen to the first movement of the Sonata I in D major from the sixth part of Bodinus' publication of "divertissements" (track 10) and note how the recorder sets off the unusual tempo shift after the main material has been introduced. It's very attractive and ingratiating, which are the watchwords for music like this, but there's a level of invention that puts Bodinus above the level of a mere imitator. The...
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