Georg Telemann Outstanding German composer, contemporary of Bach and Handel Date of Birth: 14.03.1681 Country: Germany

1. Georg Philipp Telemann - Biography
2. Early Career and Leipzig
3. Positions and Achievements
4. Declining the Position at Thomaskirche
5. Parisian Trip and Later Years
6. Style and Influence

Georg Philipp Telemann - Biography

Georg Philipp Telemann, an outstanding German composer and a contemporary of Bach and Handel, was born on March 14, 1681 in Magdeburg. He achieved early success as a singer, composer, and performer on various instruments, but at the insistence of his family, he went to Leipzig to study law. However, the musical life of the city was so captivating that in 1702, Telemann abandoned his legal studies in favor of music.

Early Career and Leipzig

Telemann obtained a position as an organist at St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche) and began composing cantatas. He also founded the Collegium Musicum at the University of Leipzig.

Positions and Achievements

In 1705, he became the court Kapellmeister in Zary (now Zary, Poland). In 1708, he was appointed as the court Kapellmeister in Eisenach. In 1712, he became the cantor in Frankfurt on the Main, and in 1721, he became the musical director in Hamburg. This final position was one of the most prestigious in Germany. Telemann was responsible for the musical aspects of five major city churches, often having to write up to five cantatas for Sunday or holiday services. He also composed operas for the city theater and led music education at the Johanneum, a renowned classical gymnasium in Hamburg.

Declining the Position at Thomaskirche

In 1723, Telemann declined an invitation to become the cantor at Thomaskirche and Johann Sebastian Bach was chosen for the position instead.

Parisian Trip and Later Years

In 1737, Telemann made a trip to Paris where he astounded listeners with the novelty of his orchestral compositions. Throughout his life, he continued to compose works for Frankfurt, Paris, and Hamburg. His legacy includes at least 40 operas, 44 cycles of passions, 52 church services, numerous oratorios, and 600 overtures in the French style, as well as a multitude of vocal and instrumental works in various genres.

Style and Influence

Telemann, a master of polyphony, also shared the typical antipathy of his time towards contrapuntal writing. He had a fondness for expressive melodies and admired the stylistic innovations of French and Italian masters. He also incorporated influences from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland. Telemann was an eclectic and perceptive analyst of music in his time, an tireless experimenter, especially in the field of orchestration.