Sonate Metodiche

Two of Australia's finest Baroque musicians, Hans-Dieter Michatz and Linda Kent, perform Telemann's rarely heard Sonate Metodiche for Baroque flute and continuo. Six large-scale sonatas display the variety, colour and detailed ornamentation of the high Baroque.

Hans-Dieter Michatz baroque flute
Linda Kent harpsichord

Georg Philipp Telemann composer

When the Sonate Metodiche were published in 1728, Georg Philipp Telemann was at the peak of his career. Securely employed by the city of Hamburg as Cantor and Director Musices, he had left behind the limits of service to a single sovereign and was writing for a more open, ‘democratic’ musical public.

Publications of his music were often followed by a second volume, a sign of their popularity with amateurs and professionals alike. The Methodical Sonatas themselves gained a companion set in 1732.

It remains surprising that these works have not entered the mainstream repertoire, and that recordings are still relatively few. They are large-scale pieces, extremely varied, and full of some of the most inspired writing of the period. The title can sound forbidding today, when ‘method’ too readily suggests something arid or uninspired. Nothing could be further from the truth. It points both to the care taken over the two sets of six sonatas and to the models of high Baroque ornamentation that Telemann supplies for each slow first movement.

The recording venue was quite live, closer to a larger Baroque music room than a dry studio. Flute and harpsichord therefore sound as equal partners rather than solo and accompaniment, in keeping with a deliberate choice to use as little technical manipulation as possible.

Reviews

Editor's Choice

— Soundscapes

One of the most delightful CDs I have come across this year.

— Soundscapes

Now if you really want to outdo your friends with a stunningly unique CD collection, then you need to get a copy of this.

— Flutewise, UK

These elegant sonatas showcase some of the most beautiful examples of Georg Philipp Telemann's artistry, and are exceptionally realised by Michatz and Kent.

— New Classics, UK

His tone is warm and compelling throughout and he is supported admirably by Linda Kent

— Frances Farmer, The Queensland Flute Guild Newsletter

Artists

Georg Philipp Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767) was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Almost completely self-taught, he became a composer against his family's wishes and ranked among the leading German musicians of his age.

Hans-Dieter Michatz

Playing modern and baroque flute as well as recorder, Hans-Dieter Michatz has performed and recorded with The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, The Sydney Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, the ABC, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, as well as in Musica Viva Education Project.

Linda Kent

Linda Kent has been a core member of the Elysium Ensemble and has performed with artists including Walter van Hauwe, Han Tol, Eva Legène and Stanley Ritchie. Her playing has been critically acclaimed for its sensitivity, insight and sense of style.

Audio previews

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Tracks

Sonata 1 in G Minor Georg Philipp Telemann

Adagio 2:09
Vivace 2:12
Grave 2:00
Allegro 1:59

Sonata 2 in A Major Georg Philipp Telemann

Adagio 3:20
Vivace 2:47
Cortesemente 2:17
Vivace 3:02

Sonata 3 in E Minor Georg Philipp Telemann

Grave 2:52
Vivace 2:33
Cunando 1:52
Vivace 2:45

Sonata 4 in D Major Georg Philipp Telemann

Andante 3:24
Presto 3:11
Con tenerezza 2:25
Allegro 2:45

Sonata 5 in A Minor Georg Philipp Telemann

Largo 2:45
Allegro 3:53
Ondeggiando 1:53
Allegro 1:52

Sonata 6 in G Major Georg Philipp Telemann

Cantabile 2:37
Vivace 3:18
Mesto 2:54
Spirituoso 2:13

Performers

Hans-Dieter Michatz · baroque flute
Linda Kent

Contributors

Design

Martin Wright

Recording engineer and director of Move Records, Martin Wright has well over fifty years’ experience in the industry and has been widely recognised for the calibre of his recordings.

Where to listen

Sonate Metodiche is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

Sonate Metodiche is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.