TelemannGeorg
Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was born in Magdeburg,
Germany.
His father and brother were Lutheran clergymen, and a similar career was
intended for Georg. He went to Leipzig to study law, but music took over,
and he founded the Collegium Musicum to give public concerts. This institute was
later directed by Bach. Telemann then worked in Frankfurt for 9 years
before moving in 1721, to Hamburg, where he lived for the rest of his
life.
Telemann's compositions were prolific, mainly concertos, orchestral
suites, and chamber works. Generally it is lighter than the music of his
contemporary, J.S.Bach, in the 'style galant' fashionable
at that time. The 'galant' style is characterized by tuneful melodies, lucid
textures, and a feeling of relaxed elegance and grace. Much of it was intended
for amateur players, and so is not difficult to play