Les Esprits Animaux TELEMANN Chamber music treasures from Dresden and Darmstadt

“Animal Spirits” is a philosophical term used in the baroque period which defines a certain kind of “subtle stream” that runs through the bodies of human beings and is able to affect their soul and ignite their emotions. Coming from three different continents, and representing new generations of historically informed performers, the members of the baroque band Les Esprits Animaux aim to have the same effect in their audience. Through an informed preparation of our programs and very dynamic concert presentations, we intend to create a bond with the listener, to find ways to tell stories set to music several hundred years ago to the society of the 21st century. Energy, vitality, virtuosity and imagination are some of the terms which critics have used to define the ensemble. Our goal is to create emotions, move and affect the souls of human beings through a music that was composed not only to be heard, but to be lived.

Telemann was one of the most famous and prolific authors of his time and apparently one of the most productive composers in the history of music, with a catalogue of almost three thousands compositions.
Proof of the popularity of Telemann’s music and personality is to be found in the actual origin of the pieces performed here, Darmstadt and Dresden. Telemann never worked in either of these cities officially, but his personal contacts took his works to both of them to be performed by top-class musicians.
With the exception of the relatively well-known  Concerto alla Polonese, the other pieces on this recording aim to do justice to some of those still hidden treasures from his repertoire. Furthermore, three works are recorded here as a world premiere and constitute real jewels.