Telemann was renowned in his own day for the spontaneity and fluency of his music, which appealed to professional and amateur musicians alike. These qualities abound in his trio sonatas in particular. As he wrote in one of his autobiographies (1718): ‘In particular, people wished to persuade me that trios were my greatest strength, because I arranged them so that one voice would have as much to do as the other.’

All the Telemann trio sonatas in which the recorder is accompanied by one or another of the viols can be found on this CD. As Telemann keeps changing his tune, no two trio sonatas are alike. In the Trio Sonata in D minor (TWV42:d7) he saves the Polish style for the final measures, to achieve an irresistible finale effect. Although he does not shun virtuosity, these sonatas contain slow movements of unparalleled tenderness. The most rigorous of all, without sounding it, is the Trio Sonata in C major (TWV42:C2), in which the recorder and the bass viol play in canon in all four movements.

In his Quartet in G major (TWV43:G10) Telemann combines two bass viols with a traverso. Erik Bosgraaf plays the solo part on a voice flute, a tenor recorder in D, ideal for playing traverso repertoire without having to transpose. This quartet exhibits his mastery of musical party-games by constantly alternating role patterns in the fast movements. Finally, there is an F major Suite which gives the starring roles to the chalumeau (an early form of the clarinet), another of the many instruments Telemann had learnt to play in his youth.

‘Erik Bosgraaf is an extraordinary recorder player, and this is as fine a recording of music by one of the giants of the Baroque period as there is… The approach, in fact, is simply perfect, and one’s delight does not slacken for a minute of the 75-minute recital.’ – Fanfare (Suites and Concertos, 95248)

‘Delightful masterpieces in one place, in technically pristine performances in the Brüggen/Dutch style, on copies of period instruments. Bosgraaf plays brilliantly, conducts his excellent 13-member ensemble, and clearly relishes the sparkling interplay with celebrated colleagues.’ – Fanfare (Double Concertos, 95249)

‘Bosgraaf is utterly superb, with a clear tone and dexterity that has to be heard to be believed… This is precisely the sort of recording that one needs to have in one’s collection, as it will clearly knock your socks off.’ – Fanfare (Fantazias, 95249)