Quartette = Quartets = Quatuors

Released in 1981 on the Telefunken label, this recording of Georg Philipp Telemann’s quartets represents a significant contribution to the early music movement of the late 20th century. Produced during a time when the historical performance practice of Baroque music was reaching a mature stage of academic and artistic rigor, the album features the renowned Quadro Hotteterre ensemble alongside key figures such as Alice Harnoncourt and Han de Vries. The selection emphasizes Telemann's mastery of the late Baroque quartet form, showcasing the intricate interplay between flute, oboe, violin, and continuo.

The production is characteristic of the 'Das Alte Werk' series, which sought to bring period-accurate instrumentation and scholarship to the forefront of the classical recording industry. By utilizing period instruments—or high-quality reconstructions—the artists aimed to capture the nuanced color and transparency intended by Telemann. Upon its release, the recording was well-regarded by music critics for its technical precision and the collaborative synergy between the performers, who were at the time among the most respected specialists in the historically informed performance field.