Les Esprits Animaux TELEMANN Chamber music treasures from Dresden and Darmstadt

“Animal Spirits” is a philosophical term used in the baroque period which defines a certain kind of “subtle stream” that runs through the bodies of human beings and is able to affect their soul and ignite their emotions. Coming from three different continents, and representing new generations of historically informed performers, the members of the baroque band Les Esprits Animaux aim to have the same effect in their audience. Through an informed preparation of our programs and very dynamic concert presentations, we intend to create a bond with the listener, to find ways to tell stories set to music several hundred years ago to the society of the 21st century. Energy, vitality, virtuosity and imagination are some of the terms which critics have used to define the ensemble. Our goal is to create emotions, move and affect the souls of human beings through a music that was composed not only to be heard, but to be lived.

Telemann was one of the most famous and prolific authors of his time and apparently one of the most productive composers in the history of music, with a catalogue of almost three thousands compositions.
Proof of the popularity of Telemann’s music and personality is to be found in the actual origin of the pieces performed here, Darmstadt and Dresden. Telemann never worked in either of these cities officially, but his personal contacts took his works to both of them to be performed by top-class musicians.
With the exception of the relatively well-known  Concerto alla Polonese, the other pieces on this recording aim to do justice to some of those still hidden treasures from his repertoire. Furthermore, three works are recorded here as a world premiere and constitute real jewels.

Maya Levy / Matthieu Idmtal GRIEG Violin Sonatas

“Matthieu Idmtal is a poet at the keyboard. With highly mastered pianissimi he forced his audience to hold their breath, while no single note sounded superficial. When he continued his journey with Chopin he impressed by his undoubtable talent for lyricism, and a spontaneity reminiscent of the masters at the beginning of the twentieth century. A romantic through and through. “

It is clear that Matthieu Idmtal has become an established name on national and international stages.
Press and public have witnessed his distinctive musical personality, and have praised his highly sensitive interpretations.

« From the very first seconds, Maya takes us into her world. She mesmerizes with a delicate and tender play, along with her distinctive and strong personality, this rare gift of eloquence that seems natural to her, and that is exclusive to true artists. »

Born in 1997, of a belgian mother and a french father, Maya Levy grows up surrounded by music lovers. She is herself profoundly moved by music as a child and inherently follows the solid intuition leading her to playing the violin. She first drew the bow at the age of 4 with Bernadette Jansen, with whom she takes her first steps. She later pursues her apprenticeship with Véronique Bogaerts, Leonid Kerbel, Igor Tkatchouk and Mr. Boris Kuschnir in Vienna – her current teacher since 2013.