Telemann"s massive output includes examples of musical wit and oddball music that puzzled his contemporaries. The Overture La Bizarre, with its weird harmonic progressions and offbeat rhythms, exemplifies the unbuttoned Telemann, though 21st century listeners will be amused rather than shocked. They"ll also relish the inventiveness displayed within the period style. The D Major Suite also entrances, its delicious dance movements flanked by an exciting overture and final Fanfare full of crashing drums and biting brass. The Les Nations Overture is one of those Baroque travelogues in which each movement depicts a different nationality, full of sly satirical touches, like the heavy-footed tread of Les Muscovites, and charming movements depicting the journey"s horses. While most of the humor brings smiles, the "Frog" Violin Concerto induces a belly laugh as the violins precisely depict the frog"s croaking. The crack original instrument ensemble Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin plays with gorgeous tone, rhythmic brio, and intoxicating drive. --Dan Davis