How good to see Florilegium, the London-based early music ensemble founded by flautist Ashley Solomon and Australian harpsichordist Neal Peres Da Costa (he’s no longer with the group), continuing to flourish. And to return to one of their favourite composers, Georg Philipp Telemann.

Telemann (1681-1767) was one of the most prodigiously gifted and prolific composers ever to have lived (200 orchestral suites alone!). Which makes it even more surprising to learn that not only was he self-taught as a musician, having been destined for the clergy, but that he found the time to engrave, advertise and distribute his music. He even made it his business to learn how to play most of the instruments he wrote for.

Published around 1740, Telemann’s Essercizii Musici is a set of 12 solo sonatas and 12 trio sonatas scored variously for the six instruments most likely to be found in...