This is a disc that portrays an imaginary audition for the role of Thomascantor (director of the Thomanerchor) between Telemann, Fasch, Graupner and J S Bach in Leipzig in 1723 following the death of Johann Kuhnau. For different reasons Telemann, Fasch and Graupner declined the position and the fourth choice happened to be Johann Sebastian Bach.
This recording is not only a showcase for a great virtuoso in the recorder player Thomas Triesschijn, but a fully enjoyable disc with plenty of wonderful music
Thomas Triesschijn: After winning a Dutch radio prize, I thought of realising a long-cherished dream: recording music for solo recorder and orchestra, in particular the famous Ouverture Suite in A minor by Telemann. Taking this piece as a starting point and after doing some research, I stumbled upon the story of the four colleagues - Telemann, Fasch, Graupner and Bach - auditioning for the prestigious position of Thomascantor in Leipzig after the death of Johann Kuhnau in 1722. Through the music on this CD, I invite you to share in a unique story of four dear friends and esteemed colleagues auditioning for the position of cantor at St. Thomas that Bach surprisingly got as fourth (!) choice. This was the position in which he would spend most of his career, composing masterpieces one after another.
Triesschijn and The Counterpoints XL's previous (and first) release was awarded the Gramophone Editor's Choice: "This debut disc is, hands down, some of the best recorded Telemann out there, and I am ready to go fist to fist with anyone who disagrees".
In 2010, Thomas Triesschijn was a finalist in the Dutch national finals of the "Eurovision Young Musicians Competition" and appeared on national television as a soloist with Holland Symfonia conducted by Otto Tausk. The year after, Thomas won first prize during the finals of the Princess Christina Competition in Rotterdam. Thomas focuses on the performance of both early and contemporary music. He has performed all over Europe, the United States and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral musician, working with ensembles and conductors such as Les Talens Lyriques and Christophe Rousset, Vox Luminis and Lionel Meunier, Holland Baroque and Daniel Reuss, Opera2Day and Hernan Schvartzman. His performances have taken him to distinguished festivals and stages such as the Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht, Chteau de Versailles and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam. Along with his performing activities, Thomas is in international demand as a teacher and juror at music competitions. He is based in Lucerne (Switzerland) where he teaches the recorder at the Musikschule Luzern.
