Simon Borutzki: 12 Fantasias - 12 Recorders

Telemann’s Twelve Fantasias are a stunning example of Baroque solo works ‘senza basso’. The cycle’s title ‘Fantasie per il Violino senza Basso’ indicates that it was originally written for the violin. Though Telemann did not intend these works for the recorder, he himself allowed for this possibility – and the present disc takes advantage of this: Simon Borutzki performs the pieces with twelve different recorders, clothing each Fantasia in its own garment of sound, selecting the most effective colours from his palette much like a painter. Considerations of noise levels, brilliance in the high range, or sonority in the low range were important here, depending on the content of the individual piece. The works’ appeal and finesse derives from their ability to suggest polyphony through intricate melodic designs, which make use of the instrument’s full range.

  Simon Borutzki

 Concerto - Magazin für alte Musik - CD Besprechung (November 2014, Stephanie Knauer):

„Der klangliche Unterschied fällt auf, allerdings nicht so sehr wie etwas anderes: das hochentwickelte Gefühl für Rhythmik, Phrasierung und passende Verzierungen, das dieser kleinteiligen Musik auch in ihrer oft miniaturhaften Kürze Gewicht verleiht. Komponist wie Interpret wissen den Zuhörer zu bannen. Telemann durch sein unaufdringlich hohes, das heißt im positiven Sinne »galantes« Niveau, Borutzki dulch seine gestalterischen Fähigkeiten.”

Fanfare (11. August 2015, Barry Brenesal)

“real musical intelligence“

American Record Guide (5. November 2015, Charles Brewer)

“His tone and control are excellent. […] Bortuzki does set a high standard that other wind players should emulate.”