SCHMELZER: SONATAS, BALLETTI,

Here’s another splendid CD from the excellent Tafelmusik. Schmelzer’s music can hardly fail to inspire – whether it’s to make you want to dance; or make your jaw drop at the lightness of his touch in what really are profound or very human pieces such as the Lament on the death of Ferdinand III (tr 6); or smile at the cheeky woodwind embellishments in the chamber sonata ‘al giorno delle correggie’ (on the day of the lash) with its unexpectedly abrupt end. Playing period instruments on what was a nominee for the 1994 ‘Best Classical Album, Small Ensemble’ Juno Award, the Toronto-based Baroque specialists, Tafelmusik, under their ever-energetic director, Jeanne Lamon, take you on a tasty and sprightly tour of some of Schmelzer’s most engaging music – mostly sonatas (Schmelzer played such a crucial role in developing the form in the Germany of the mid C17th) - and with the delightful Chaconne and French Ballet music for Nettuno e Flora festeggianti by Cesti. In addition to music red