Tafelmusik (in 4 series) features uniquely diverse combinations of chamber instruments. There's nothing else like it in the Baroque literature. The pieces show sustained inspiration and never-failing harmonic and rhythmic twists. Their deliberate exploration of instrumental sonorities and combinations means that performance style and interpretation are very important in putting them over. Tastes will vary. Maybe this also helps account for the very different ratings by the previous reviewers!

Like Reviewer 1, I experienced intermittent audio problems and also skips in my set of the the First Series. The audio problem is ignored my ratings in the title. The opening Overture in E for 2 flutes has passages reminiscent of the more famous Suite in A for flute and strings. Here, however, the flutes indulge in all manner of clever and inventive "French" interactions with the strings, interspersed with full orchestra segments; the whole is delicately and deftly executed by the Orchestra of the Golden Age. If Reviewer 2 likes the Camerata Koln, I am not sure why he is down on this version, except perhaps preferring the more robust Reinhard Goebel style in preference to the very light touch of the ensemble formed by Robert Glenton (cello) in 1995.

It's well to remember that Telemann invented the quartet form (not the classical string quartet form whose origin is debated but often attributed to Haydn), much later. Telemann composed some 25 of these quartets, one of which, for flute, oboe, violin and cello (with continuo) is included here.

I admit I prefer living tradition style, which gives me more direct access to "absolute" music rather than having to project myself back into history. But I can't fault the sensitivity and precision with which the Golden Age ensemble performs. Then too, the NAXOS price is much lower than the competitive Deutsche Grammophon and other brands.

I bought this disc out of curiosity. I had not really heard a lot of Telemann, and what I had heard had not really stuck with me. Nonetheless, as I grow more fond of Baroque, the combination of a favorable Grammophone review and the Naxos price pushed me beyond temptation. Bottom line: I love it and plan to get the other 3 installments ASAP. The music itself is of a very high quality, with an enjoyable lightness of touch and bounciness I did not expect. The performance and recording are very good. It seems Naxos' recording techniques improve with each new offering. If you like Baroque music, give this a try...at less than eight bucks it is an out and out bargain.

This disk sounds like it was recorded in my bedroom closet. I may be hypersensitive to such characteristics, but when I want to listen to music of this type I expect it to sound alive and bright -- not tired and hollow. Certainly the price is an impetus for impulse purchase... but you might want to pay more for, say, the recording of Telemann's "Water Music" done by Musica Antiqua Koln.

Georg Phillip Telemann wrote such wonderful, populist music. Such easy, flowing melodies were the mark of genius. But this stuff is just fluff -- background music for dinner, aptly titled "Musique de Table". After repeated listenings, I can't find anything important enough to review.