Musica Antiqua Koln, Reinhard Goebel - Telemann: Flotenquartette (2005)

Here is a case of expectations richly rewarded. Telemann's flute quartets are vibrant and tuneful, at times making great demands on the soloists. The Musica Antiqua Koln are in all ways up to the challenge, delivering a musical bouquet that is at various turns elegant, soothing, and exciting.
Baroque music – "exciting"? Yes, quite! As an example, have a listen to the final movement of the A minor quartet (track 18). The runs and bouncing tunes jumping from oboe to recorder to violin should have you smiling by the halfway point. Which is not to say that this music is all about Allegro and Vivace – there are Adagio and Largo movements as well, which the soloists similarly relish by settling comfortably into their serenity and repose. This is music that is surely as rewarding for the players as it is for the listener.
There is a variety of color in the selections and sequencing that keeps the ear from tiring, and recorded sound quality is first-rate. The sonority of the authentic instruments is not in any way distracting, in fact the tone and expression are easily on a level with any modern-instrument ensemble.

Track List:

Flute Quartet in G minor, TWV 43 g4 for recorder, violin, viola and basso continuo [8'56]
I. Allegro [2'22]
II. Adagio [2'18]
III. Allegro [4'16]

Flute Quartet in G, TWV 43 G6 for recorder, oboe, violin and basso continuo [7'12]
I. Allegro [2'28]
II. Grave [2'09]
III Allegro [2'35]

Flute Quartet in D minor, TWV 43 d3 for transverse flute, violin, violoncello and basso continuo [7'30]
I. Adagio [1'58]
II. Allegro [1'30]
III. Largo [1'00]
IV. Allegro [3'02]

Flute Quartet in G, TWV 43 G11 for transverse flute, violin, violoncello and basso continuo [6'38]
I. Affetuoso [1'40]
II. Allegro [1'55]
III. Adagio [0'24]
IV. Allegro assai [2'39]

Flute Quartet in A minor, TWV 43 a3 for recorder, oboe, violin and basso continuo [10'05]
I. Adagio [2'50]
II. Allegro [1'38]
III. Adagio [1'36]
IV. Vivace [4:01]

Flute Quartet in G, TWV 43 G12 for transverse flute,two violins and basso continuo [12'51]
I. Dolce [2'46]
II. Allegro [3'41]
III. Soave [2'20]
IV. Vivace [4'04]

Flute Quartet in B flat, TWV 43 B2 for two violins, viola and basso continuo [6'25]
I. Spirituoso [2'36]
II. Grave [2'13]
III. Allegro [1'36]

Flute Quartet in G, TWV 43 G10 for transverse flute, two violins and basso continuo [9'17]
I. Vivace [3'39]
II. Andante [1'34]
III. Vivace [4'04]

Performers:
Musica Antiqua Koln
Reinhard Goebel, violin & viola
Maurice Steger, recorder
Verena Fischer, transverse flute
Diego Nadra, oboe
Stephan Schardt, violin
Karlheinz Steeb, viola
Klaus-Dieter Brandt, violoncello
Leon Berben, harpsichord