Ásdís Valdimarsdóttir - Telemann: 12 Fantasies TW 40:26-37 for viola de gamba, solo viola version (2024) [24/96]

Recording solo pieces was a departure from my usual ensemble or orchestral work, requiring a different mindset and approach (…) the solitude allowed for introspection and deep connection with the music, resulting in a profoundly personal recording experience. – Ásdís Valdimarsdóttir

My own journey with these wonderful pieces began during the pandemic, when I found a transcription of them that someone had made for my instrument, the viola. There is very limited repertoire for the viola from the Baroque period, so we have to make do with transcriptions of Bach’s solo works for cello and violin, and indeed we also play the Fantasies that Telemann wrote for the violin. So I was very happy to find something new to work on during that strange time of no concerts, bought a copy and started practicing. As I worked through them I often wondered if the text could be arranged differently over the octaves. Thus, I gradually found myself actually making a completely new transcription, and in January 2024 my version was published by the French publisher Billaudot. I have tried to respect the original text as far as possible and I included every note and every chord that Telemann wrote, even if some of them are barely possible to play on the viola!

Making this edition and recording has been an incredible journey of discovery. These fantasies are appropriately named; they travel through many tonalities with extreme peaks and valleys; quirky fast movements full of folk music, joy and surprises; slow movements full of wonder and sorrow, some marked Grave, others simply Dolce. Each fantasy has a character of its own, full of humanity and unique stories to tell. I feel very humbled, honoured and grateful that I have had the opportunity to delve so deeply into these wonderful Fantasies and to make this recording. – Ásdís Valdimarsdóttir (viola, transcription)

Tracklist:
01. Fantasie 1 for viola de gamba in C Minor, TW 40:26: Adagio-Allegro
02. Fantasie 1 for viola de gamba in C Minor, TW 40:26: Allegro
03. Fantasie 2 for viola de gamba in D Major, TW 40:27: Vivace-Andante-Vivace
04. Fantasie 2 for viola de gamba in D Major, TW 40:27: Presto
05. Fantasie 3 for viola de gamba in E Minor, TW 40:28: Largo-Presto
06. Fantasie 3 for viola de gamba in E Minor, TW 40:28: Vivace
07. Fantasie 4 for viola de gamba in F Major, TW 40:29: Vivace
08. Fantasie 4 for viola de gamba in F Major, TW 40:29: Grave-Allegro
09. Fantasie 5 for viola de gamba in B Flat Major, TW 40:30: Allegro
10. Fantasie 5 for viola de gamba in B Flat Major, TW 40:30: Largo-Allegro
11. Fantasie 6 for viola de gamba in G Major, TW 40:31: Scherzando
12. Fantasie 6 for viola de gamba in G Major, TW 40:31: Dolce
13. Fantasie 6 for viola de gamba in G Major, TW 40:31: Spirituoso
14. Fantasie 7 for viola de gamba in G Minor, TW 40:32: Andante
15. Fantasie 7 for viola de gamba in G Minor, TW 40:32: Vivace
16. Fantasie 7 for viola de gamba in G Minor, TW 40:32: Allegro
17. Fantasie 8 for viola de gamba in A Major, TW 40:33: Allegro
18. Fantasie 8 for viola de gamba in A Major, TW 40:33: Grave
19. Fantasie 8 for viola de gamba in A Major, TW 40:33: Vivace
20. Fantasie 9 for viola de gamba in C Major, TW 40:34: Presto
21. Fantasie 9 for viola de gamba in C Major, TW 40:34: Grave
22. Fantasie 9 for viola de gamba in C Major, TW 40:34: Allegro
23. Fantasie 10 for viola de gamba in E Major, TW 40:35: Dolce
24. Fantasie 10 for viola de gamba in E Flat Major, TW 40:35: Siciliana
25. Fantasie 10 for viola de gamba in E Major, TW 40:35: Scherzando
26. Fantasie 11 for viola de gamba in D Minor, TW 40:36: Allegro
27. Fantasie 11 for viola de gamba in D Minor, TW 40:36: Grave
28. Fantasie 11 for viola de gamba in D Minor, TW 40:36: Allegro
29. Fantasie 12 for viola de gamba in E Flat Major, TW 40:37: Andante
30. Fantasie 12 for viola de gamba in E Flat Major, TW 40:37: Allegro
31. Fantasie 12 for viola de gamba in E Flat Major, TW 40:37: Vivace


Thanks to the Original customer!