Artist: Heinz Holliger, Camerata Bern, Alexander van Wijnkoop, Thomas Füri
Album: Graun, Krebs, Telemann: Oboe Concertos
Genre: Classical
Release Date: 2004
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 96 kHz
Duration: 01:14:55
Total Tracks: 16
Total Size: 1,36 GB

Tracklist:

Johann Gottlieb Graun (1703-1771)
Concerto in C minor for Oboe, Strings and Continuo
1. I. [Allegro] 8:16
2. II. Affettuoso 7:03
3. III. Allegro molto 5:20

Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713 – 1780)
Concerto in B minor for Harpsichord, Oboe, Strings and Continuo
4. I. Moderato 9:50
5. II. Amabile 6:07
6. III. Presto 4:40

Johann Gottlieb Graun
Concerto in G minor for Oboe, Strings and Continuo
7. I. Allegro 3:41
8. II. Andante con sordini 3:50
9. III. (Tempo not indicated) 3:08

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Concerto in E flat major for Oboe, Strings and Continuo
10. I. Allegro 4:39
11. II. Largo 3:58
12. III. Allegro 3:15

Concerto in B flat for 2 recorders, 2 oboes, violin, 2 violas, cello, double-bass and Continuo
13. I. Andante 2:10
14. II. Presto 2:51
15. III. Cantabile 3:15
16. IV. Allegro 2:39

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In its time, the high Baroque oboe concerto was the ne plus ultra of the virtuoso, the sin qua non of the soulful, and the denier cri of the tuneful. But times change and for all but the most epicurean of the cognoscenti, the oboe concertos of Johann Gottlieb Graun, Johann Ludwig Krebs, and Georg Philipp Telemann are at best terra incognito and at worst nearly persona non grata. In his day, Heinz Holliger was the crème de la crème of oboe virtuosity, the apex, the acme, and the essence of the metaphysical quintessence of oboe virtuosity. So great was Holliger’s celebrity that, after he had finished recording the oboe concertos of Mozart, Bach, and Strauss, he was allowed to record the oboe concertos of Graun, Krebs, and Telemann.

Of course, Holliger’s performances are terrific. Beyond the fact that he is a supreme oboe virtuoso, Holliger is a supreme musician, and he makes the most convincing case possible for the music. And the music of Graun, Krebs, and Telemann is terrific, too, virtuosic, soulful, and wonderfully tuneful. The accompaniment by the Camerata Bern under both Alexander van Wijnkoop and Thomas Furi is attentive and supportive. In its time, Archiv’s late stereo sound was superlative and this digital remastering improves the superlative.

“the elegance and intelligence of his playing remain peerless, and the qualities that made him the greatest oboist of the 20th century are obvious as ever.” (The Guardian)