Georg von Bertouch: Trio Sonatas and pieces from The Music Book of Jacob Mestmacher
Georg von Bertouch (1668–1743) was a man of action, quite literally: he took part in no fewer than 22 battles, and ended his career as commandant of Akershus Castle, which still overlooks the harbour in Oslo – the portrait on the cover of this CD was photographed in the office of the present-day commandant. But Bertouch, a German-born Norwegian, was also one of the leading composers of the day, corresponding with Bach and other prominent musicians. His music reveals a knowledge of Corelli and other contemporary developments, but retains a fresh, almost innocent, spontaneity with an infectious appeal. Here it is interspersed with dances and airs used in domestic music-making in Baroque Bergen.
Bergen Barokk
Listen To This Recording:
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Sonata No. 8 in G major (1738)
- I. Vivace Audio Player
- II. Adagio Audio Player
- III. Andante
- March (No. 106) Audio Player
- Aria (No. 248, with variations by Bergen Barokk)
- I. Canona Allegro Audio Player
- II. Adagio Audio Player
- III. Andante
- Paspie de la Compertanje (No. 75)
- I. Vivace Audio Player
- II. Allegro Audio Player
- III. Adagio Audio Player
- IV. Allegro
- Menuetto (No. 13) Audio Player
- Gavotte Alternativement (No. 53)
- I. Andante Audio Player
- II. Vivace Audio Player
- III. Adagio Audio Player
- IV. [Allegro]
- I. Largo Audio Player
- II. Andante
- I. Andante Audio Player
- II. Adagio Audio Player
- III. Allegro Audio Player
- IV. Allegro
- Allegro et Trio (No. 166)
- I. Largo Audio Player
- II. Andante Audio Player
- III. Adagio Audio Player
- IV. Vivace
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Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
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Sonata No. 15 in F minor
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Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
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Sonata No. 11 in F major
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Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
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Sonata No. 21 in B flat minor
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Sontata No. 17 in E flat major
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Sonata No. 12 in D minor
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Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
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Sonata No. 14 in G minor
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Classical Source :
‘These delightful trio sonatas by Georg von Bertouch (1668-1743), interspersed with pieces from “The Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher”, tumble blinking into the light courtesy of Toccata Classics…The performances overall are first-rate … Given that Bertouch will be totally unfamiliar to all but a few listeners, the extensive booklet notes provide essential historical and musicological information. A welcome release from an important independent label.’
—William Yeoman, Classical Source
BBC Music Magazine :
‘Bertouch’s sonatas are charming and, often, cleverly wrought. Bergen Barokk plays them persuasively, ringing the instrumental changes from a pair of violins, recorder, transverse flute, and obbligato gamba and harpsichord.…In all, a welcome and revealing collection of first recordings.’
—BBC Music Magazine
International Record Review :
‘this collection, beautifully played by Bergen Barokk, and with a spendidly clear recorded sound, […] allows us to discover a little-known repertoire and fill another historical gap in our ever-expanding knowledge of the music of this period.’
—International Record Review
Music & Vision :
‘Baroque enthusiasts should be delighted to discover the music of Georg von Bertouch…’
—Patric Standford, Music & Vision
MusicWeb International :
‘I have enjoyed this recording a lot, not only because of the music, which is anything but dull, but also because of the performance. Bergen Barokk plays this repertoire with great imagination, […]. There is some excellent ensemble playing here […]
I wholeheartedly recommend this disc, as it is musically highly entertaining and historically very interesting. ‘
—Johan van Veen, MusicWeb International