Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Sonata No.1 In F Major For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Adagio ma non troppo
2. Sonata No.1 In F Major For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
3. Sonata No.1 In F Major For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Larghetto
4. Sonata No.1 In F Major For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro assai
5. Sonata No.2 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Andante
6. Sonata No.2 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
7. Sonata No.2 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Andante
8. Sonata No.2 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
9. Sonata No.3 In B Flat Major For Violin, Oboe, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Adagio
10. Sonata No.3 In B Flat Major For Violin, Oboe, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
11. Sonata No.3 In B Flat Major For Violin, Oboe, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Largo
12. Sonata No.3 In B Flat Major For Violin, Oboe, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Tempo giusto

Disc 2:

1. Sonata No. 4 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Andante
2. Sonata No. 4 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
3. Sonata No. 4 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Adagio
4. Sonata No. 4 In G Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro ma non troppo
5. Sonata No. 5 In F Major For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
6. Sonata No. 5 In F Major For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Adagio
7. Sonata No. 5 In F Major For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
8. Sonata No. 6 In C Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Andante
9. Sonata No. 6 In C Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro
10. Sonata No. 6 In C Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Adagio
11. Sonata No. 6 In C Minor For Two Oboes, Bassoon And Basso Continuo: Allegro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114591 in Music
• Released on: 1999-05-10
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 99 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Oboist Heinz Holliger created quite a stir when he first recorded the impossibly difficult trio sonatas of Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745) in the early 1970s, and this recording for ECM proves he hasn't forgotten the magic of the baroque composer. Zelenka--a lesser-known Dresden court composer--is perhaps best remembered for his numerous vocal works, but his trio sonatas (and his orchestral music, for that matter) is memorable, to say the least. Highly expressive, loaded with demanding passages (the over-the-top but lovely Sonata No. 5 should be heard by all baroque fans), and downright peppy with a dance-like structure, these are great compositions. Holliger and his ensemble are in top form, embracing this innovative but under-heard music to its fullest potential. A highly recommended disc. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Astonishing music, astonishing performances
What fantastic music this is. Inventive, complex, rapturous. It is quite unlike anything being written at the time and a million miles away from the "composed by the yard" feel of much baroque music. Here speaks a truly original voice.

For any double reed player these six sonatas represent one of the pinacles of the repertoire and are extremely challenging. Holliger, Bourgue and Thunemann have led the field for decades and on this showing have lost none of their abilities. Indeed listening to these recordings, one can only marvel anew at their simply dazzling mastery. Sample any movement from any of the six sonatas and one is amazed and delighted at how the complexities of these pieces are delivered for the listener. Great musicians working together at white heat.

It only remains to add that the ECM sound is wonderfully warm and truthful, giving a bloom around the sound without it being smothered with reverberation.

All in all, cannot be recommended too highly.