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
- II. Adagio
- III. Andante
- March (No. 106)
- Aria (No. 248, with variations by Bergen Barokk)
- I. Canona Allegro
- II. Adagio
- III. Andante
- Paspie de la Compertanje (No. 75)
- I. Vivace
- II. Allegro
- III. Adagio
- IV. Allegro
- Menuetto (No. 13)
- Gavotte Alternativement (No. 53)
- I. Andante
- II. Vivace
- III. Adagio
- IV. [Allegro]
- I. Largo
- II. Andante
- I. Andante
- II. Adagio
- III. Allegro
- IV. Allegro
- Allegro et Trio (No. 166)
- I. Largo
- II. Andante
- III. Adagio
- IV. Vivace
Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
Sonata No. 15 in F minor
Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
Sonata No. 11 in F major
Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
Sonata No. 21 in B flat minor
Sontata No. 17 in E flat major
Sonata No. 12 in D minor
Pieces from the Music-Book of Jacob Mestmacher
Sonata No. 14 in G minor
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
musica Dei donum :
‘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, as is demonstrated by the varied scoring of the keyboard pieces and the addition of variations to the Aria from the Mestmacher collection. […]
I wholeheartedly recommend this disc, as it is musically highly entertaining and historically very interesting.’
—Johan van Veen, musica Dei donum