Georg Philipp Telemann (1681 - 1767) German

                                                 Partial List of Telemann's Compositions 

Almost entirely self-taught, George Philipp Telemann held important positions in Leipzig, Sorau, Eisenach, and Frankfurt before settling in Hamburg in 1721 for 45 years.  There he became musical director of the city's five main churches.  During these periods his style widen and his output multiplied.  Beyond his German roots, he was also influenced by the Italian operas of Domenico Scarlatti, the French operas of Jean-Phillipe Rameau, and Polish folk music.   

Telemann was highly respected by contemporaries like George Frideric Handel, and was a close friend of Johann Sebastian Bach.  Telemann was godfather to Bach's son, Carl Phillip Emmanuel.

Telemann was  a very prolific composer.  He composed over 50 operas (although only nine still exist in complete form), many oratorios, passions, cantatas, orchestra suites, concertos, chamber music, harpsichord and organ works.

Telemann's music, overall, was lighter than Bach's, with more single melodies and less polyphony.  Telemann is often considered to be an influence on the Galant style composers who led the way toward the classical style of the late 18th century,


Sacred Music

           Der Tag des Gerichts  (The Day of Judgement)  (1762)  (oratorio)  (6:30)  (at age 81)

Orchestra Music

         Don Quixote (excerpts)  Apollo's Fire (4:30)

         Concerto in G major for Viola, Orchestra, and Basso Continuo - Tomoe Badiarova, viola, 
                  Yuri Bashmet, cond.  - Mvmt 2  (4:30)

         Concerto in D major for violin, cello, trumpet & strings - Mvmt 3 Bremer Barockorchester 

                                   Meelis Orgse, 1st violin -  Néstor Cortés, cello, Giuseppe Frau, tpt  (5:50)


Chamber Music

        Concerto for 4 Violins in D minor (canon)  6:30


   Tafelmusik   (or Music de Table)    (published 1733)

       Tafelmusik ('table music') from 1733, is several hours of trios, quartets, concertos and orchestral 
       suites that feature flutes, oboes, trumpet and violins with additional strings, horns and 
       basso continuo (e.g. harpsichord & cello).

        Tafelmusik - Quartet in D minor  (1733) (16:15)

        More Tafelmusik  (YouTube link)  (4 hrs, 19 min) 


I. Ouverture - Suite in E minor for two flutes, strings & b.c. TWV55:e1  
     (b.c. = basso continuo, i.e a chord producing instrument(s) (usually the harpsichord, sometimes the 
    lute or guitar), and bass instrument(s) (e.g. cello and/or bassoon)

1. Ouverture (Lentement-Vite-Lentement-Vite-Lentement­)　
2. Rejouissance　
3. Rondeau　
4. Loure　
5. Passepied　
6. Air. Un peu vivement　
7. Gigue　

II. Quatuor in G major for flute, oboe, violin & b.c. TWV43:G2

1. Largo-Allegro-Largo　
2. Vivace-Moderato-Vivace　
3. Grave　
4. Vivace　

III. Concerto in A major for flute, violin, violoncello, strings & b.c. TWV53:A2

1. Largo　
2. Allegro
3. Grazioso　
4. Allegro　

IV. Trio in E-flat major for two violins & b.c. TWV42:Es1

1. Affetuoso　
2. Vivace　
3. Grave　
4. Allegro　

V. Solo in B minor for flute & b.c. TWV41:h4

1. Cantabile　
2. Allegro　
3. Dolce　
4. Allegro　

VI. Conclusion in E minor for two strings & b.c. TWV50:5

1. Allegro