**** Excellent Album

“… As I wrote, I was sceptical about this disc, but was pleasantly surprised by the musical result of the concept Holland Baroque has chosen. That is due to Telemann: I still have to hear a piece from his pen that is not in any way interesting and at least good. It is also due to the performances. Holland Baroque is an excellent ensemble which always approaches music with enthusiasm and engagement. They often collaborate with kindred spirits, such as here Aisslinn Nosky, a brilliant American violinist, who obviously enjoyed herself becoming involved in this project, as she shows in her playing and in the interview in the booklet. The playing and sense of rhythm of all participants results in more than an hour of perfect musical entertainment…”

“This release makes an exhaustive survey of Polish dances and style in Telemann’s music… Aisslinn Nosky’s violin playing is crisp and bright. The ensemble as a whole sounds exhilarating. Telemann’s music is soft and tender, says Judith Steenbrink, but it is also full of excitement and local color …”

“… Here, on their second strong release for PentaTone Records, the group is sure to earn even more accolades and listeners. Joined by Canadian early music violinist Aisslinn Nosky, the group explores Telemann’s Danses d’Polonié (TWV 45), which the composer wrote during his Polish travels, and which had a lasting impact upon his compositional style and artistic output. Cinematic and rich in its thematic mining of the imagery, landscape and nature of Poland and its surroundings, this recording is a winner. Sure to delight connoisseurs of early music while making fans out of other listeners too.”

****

“The Holland Baroque and Aislinn Nosky proves more than equal to the specific demands of this beguiling Baroque music, finding a particular energy and colour in the little-known scores. The recording has the characteristic range of Pentatone SACD, presenting a fully rounded sound picture.”