(1) Telemann’s Methodical Sonatas, Volume I, a CD by Barbara Hopkins, flute, and Linda Skernick, harpsichord. Listen to samples and order on-line at www.barbarahopkins.com. Price: $15.00.

This lovely and instructive new recording brings to the fore one of the most important and practical sources of information about the interpretation of Baroque music. Included on this CD are five sonatas out of the twelve published by Georg Phillip Telemann in two sets in 1728 and 1732. In addition to her very clean, relaxed, and expressive performances, flutist Hopkins (Professor of Flute at the University of Connecticut and a member of the Hartford Symphony) provides in her liner notes a very concise but extremely helpful study guide for how to analyze the Baroque sonata, a glossary of ornaments Telemann uses, and other helpful information on articulation and style. Of course, for study purposes these recorded realizations of Telemann’s suggested possibilities need to be used along with his written score, which provides copious illustrations of the kind of kind of ornamentation the composer considered appropriate—and they are much more elaborate and intricate than the way most 18th century sonatas are usually played today. And, in the performances by Hopkins and Skernick, these seemingly simple melodies come to life with the addition of informed use of articulation, nuance, affect, and embellishments. The works take on a shape and direction of line that makes them full, rich and highly musical. Her flute tone is so limpid, yet focused, and resonant that her interpretations sound convincing and absolutely natural on the modern silver flute. And Skernick’s continuo playing provides a rhythmic, melodic and harmonic underpinning that is full and balanced. Whether for information, amusement, or amazement you are sure to find this recording compelling and well worth purchasing.          (J.E.P.)

(2) Fantasie su Arie di Verdi e Bellin by Raffaello Galli. Sheet music book and CD released by BMG Publications and distributed in the U.S.A. by Hal Leonard, Inc., on inventory #HL50486282. Online: http://www.halleonard.com. Price: $22.95.

This package contains a well-reproduced facsimile of the original flute and piano score that Ricordi editions published c.1860 plus with a companion CD containing complete performances and separate tracks with just the piano accompaniment. Galli (1819-1889) is little known today but wrote over 400 works, most all for the flute, using the popular fantasie variation style and transcriptions of famous Italian opera arias. Of the many, many to choose from, this release features Galli’s version of the best and most well-known music from Giuseppi Verdi’s opera Il Trovatore and Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma. The recorded performance by Luisa Sello and Johannes Jess Kropfitsch is stylish and sure in technique and tone, and that have that true Italian romanticism and lyric character. The piano transcriptions capture the mood and sonority of the original orchestral music and are intense without overpowering the excellent flute playing. Flutist Sello has expansive interpretive skills and a singing operatic sound. She represents the best in both the French and Italian schools of flute teaching. Previously a member of the Teatro La Scala opera orchestra in Milan, Sello performs widely with chamber orchestras and as soloist at festivals throughout Europe, while teaching flute at the Conservatory “Giuseppi Tartini’ of Trieste. Some people still avoid this full-blown 19th century romantic style, which can easily be overdone to become cloying and clichéd, but, when done with the kind of love and understanding possessed by these performers as well as with the power and sensitivity required, these works can be delightful and even moving. The whole repertoire of flute music of this era deserves wider dissemination and a general reconsideration of its place in music history and our flute repertoire. With “early music” ensembles and orchestras that use original period instruments moving on to exploring early 19th century composers, this big Italian style is very likely to gain in popularity and broad acceptance in the near future. I expect we will see more lost treasures, like those of Raffalello Galli and his contemporaries, reprinted soon.          (J.E.P.) .

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