The contents of two American Decca LP's, both devoted, somewhat oddly, to the pairing of Mozart and Telemann. The Zimbler Sinfonietta is featured in the ensemble works while Harold Gomberg performs his magic in a smaller, chamber like setting.
Both lps were recorded during a time when musicians were beginning to get a better handle on a more authentic period performance style. The Telemann, for instance, with flautist James Pappoutsakis doing the honors in the Suite for Flute and Strings, has moments of stylistic grace but also has some of the lumpiness characteristic of another time and place. This is best illustrated in the opening ouverture. On the Gomberg record, there are places where the phrasing in the Telemann pieces sounds a bit bloated and overdone. However, I cannot criticize the musicians because, for the most part, they performed in a manner that was accepted, known and regarded as proper. Still, performance practices have come a long way in the last 50 years! Gomberg's tone is, rather hypnotic.
Both of these lps will fit conveniently onto one cd.
DOWNLOAD ZIMBLER - DECCA DL8522
DOWNLOAD GOMBERG - DECCA DL9618
