Telemann: 12 Fantasias for Viola da Gamba

Ralph Rousseau performs Telemann’s 12 Fantasias for Viola da Gamba on TRPTK – his debut album at NativeDSD. Recorded at the Geertekerk in Utrecht, this album features the fantasias by Telemann. Music that was long thought of as forgotten, until they reappeared in a German library in 2015.

Instrument: 6-string viola da gamba by Georg Aman (Augsburg, early 18th century)

“Starting with the location — together with Ralph, we chose the magnificent Geertekerk in our hometown of Utrecht. Built in the 13th century, this church has some of the most incredible acoustics in the country, making it perfect for a period instrument such as the gamba. Of course, we also had to use the best tools for the job, so we reached out to DPA Microphones in Denmark, who were kind enough to supply us with their latest 4006A omnidirectional and 4015A subcardioid microphones. We wanted to record the Geertekerk as it is, in surround, with nothing added or removed from it, making the DPAs the clear choice. Paired with the most high-end microphone cabling in the world, custom-built for us by Furutech, and suspended on their NCF Boosters, we were sure of creating the most accurate reproduction of the sound of Ralph’s instrument in the space were we spent two and a half days of intense recording. (…)
This recording will forever have a special place in my heart, as I hope it will also have for you, dear listener. If you enjoy it even half as much as I did when recording and still do to this day, I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.”

– Brendon Heinst, Producer TRPTK

“For the small scene of viola da gamba players, 2015 has been an unforgettable year. The most important discovery in years was revealed: in an archive in the German city of Osnabrück, a full copy surfaced of the long-lost Fantasias for viola da gamba solo by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767). Each page had one. And that, with Telemann’s memorial year coming up, the anniversary where he would finally gain the wide acknowledgement he deserves. The year 2017 marked 250 years since the Magdeburg-born composer passed away.”
– from Liner Notes by Merlijn Kerkhof