The solitude evoked here, including, paradoxically, on some pieces for two instruments, is the solitude of solo or duet instruments "without basso continuo". Matteo Gemolo on a one-key flute which is a copy of an instrument made in 1730, Patrizio Germone on his copy of an Amati from 1629, play in both solo – the stunning Fantasias for solo flute or solo violin, published by Telemann at his own expense in Hamburg in the 1730s (because he was a gentleman who knew how to look after his interests and his rights as an author, and the demand amongst enlightened amateurs for his works was too big) – or in duet, like the Sonatas without bass, for flute and violin. Alternating between solos and duets, our two artists create a joyful world of sonic contrasts, although all these works foreground feelings of joy and pleasure, fantasy and invention, designed to win over instrumentalists above all, and the listener with them. The album only presents three of the six duets of the original version (the TWV 40: 101, 103 et 104); another recording will soon follow to complete the collection. But, rightly, Germone and Gemolo reckon that an album which only presented these six Sonatas runs the risk of being a bit uniform. It's a judicious call, not least because it means that our soloists will keep music-lovers hanging on for the next instalment! © SM/Qobuz