Opus Musicum Sonatarum: The Alphabet Sonatas

I happened upon this recording while in the process of transcribing some of the sonatas from the French National Library source for private play-along purposes on my baroque bassoon. The sonatas are not at all like “late baroque” suites with well-defined formal separate movements. They sound instead quite like Rosenmueller (almost a contemporary of Pezel's and who worked in the same orbit). The 6 part writing lends a nice harmonic density and interest to the sound. There is no torturing of catgut in the interest of high virtuosity but there are enough fugal entries and solo breaks and harmonic twists in essentially polyphonic writing to keep things interesting. This is baroque party music par excellence, good for playing down at the Rathaus for gathering of dignitaries. It is a pity the option of using a bassoon for some numbers (as given on the bass part as an option) was not take. I contend this was given as a practical option as well as for the sonic effect so the pieces could be played standing and/or on a crowded musicians gallery where there is no room to swing a cello bow. Some of the indicated repeats are not taken, which means sonatas and concluding 10 minute ciaconna fit on 2 CD's which is reasonable decision. The pitch seems to be around 415 which is debatable given the early date at which time the old Stadtpfeifer pitch of A=465 may have been still used. Very interesting sleeve notes give regarding the social milieu in which these sonatas were performed.

Acronym has taken on a vast project of 25 pieces from Pezel. If Pezel was alive today and could hear the performance he would be smiling ear to ear, I would suspect.I know just enough of classical music to be dangerous, so my explanation might be a bit simple, but these performances not only demonstrate the mind of an exceptional composer but top rate musicians that don't simply play but meld together as a single unit.I'm no fan of Baroque Music yet I find this recording fresh and bubbling over with glee. This is happy music with a raw energy that commands your full attention. I normally find most such pieces rather mournful and dreary yet Pezel and Acronym make even the slower paced pieces bright and sunny with something always ready to pop out.To describe their effervescent delivery, I must resort to comparisons to the vigor the Rare Fruits Counts delivers in their recordings. To create baroque music to my liking is not an easy task but Acronym has taken an exceptional composer and delivered a spirit that keeps you on the edge of your seat.I think you will be pleased, wanting to sample other works of Pezel and other recordings of Acronym. For a corny closing, a look at the cover reveals the only letter missing is U to complete the set.

a most interesting collection, i highly recommend giving it a shot