Pratum Integrum Orchestra - Anton Ferdinand Tietz: Instrumental Music (2004) [SACD]

Another stellar program of 18th century music, lovingly performed and recorded, and this time every selection is a world premiere recording. This ensemble unites Russia’s top performers of early music, consisting of soloists selected from some of the country’s leading chamber orchestras. In addition to performing familiar composers of the Baroque and Classic eras, Pratum Integrum works to bring back the musical heritage of Russian and foreign composers who lived in Russia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. And Tietz, who lived from 1742 to 1810, is one of them.
He was a German violinist and composer who after starting in Vienna got a job at the court of Catherine II of Russia, and had a major role in the musical life of the court in St. Petersburg. Tietz absorbed all the special features of Russian folk song and polyphony and became one of the first creators of instrumental concert music in Russia. Yet most of his works belie the Viennese ensemble style of his background. The opening symphony and closing violin concerto are rich and melodic works on a par with Haydn or Hummel. The cheery symphony concludes with a Prestissimo Russian dance. The center three chamber works are equally enlightening, especially the very Romantic Quintet with a charmingly melodic Cantabile at its center. The sonic quality of the 5.0 channel recording is top rate and there is none of the thin, wiry timbre which one often associates with early music ensembles playing authentic instruments.
John Sunier