Lovely classics

A famous piece by Georg Philipp Telemann. Popular classical music.

Representative, Elysion Philharmonic Orchestrasai-kisaragi
Heisei College of Music, Composition Course. Studied composition and conducting under Keizo Ideta, piano under Chinami Kira, and arts management under Takuma Konishi. With a focus on community and music, I work to revitalize my hometown of Saga Prefecture. While performing as a double bassist with wind ensembles and orchestras across Kyushu, I participated on double bass in the “Orchestra Without Borders” orchestra camp of the professional game and anime music ensemble Eminence Orchestra, held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture in September 2012. During CAPCOM’s Kyushu Tour in 2016, I not only performed as an orchestra member but also served on the production staff. I currently serve as the managing representative for the game and anime performance groups Elysion Philharmonic Orchestra (Saga Prefecture) and Fukuoka Game Music Wind Orchestra (Fukuoka Prefecture), and handle conducting, arranging, and public relations.

Let me introduce Georg Philipp Telemann, a German Baroque composer who holds a Guinness World Record and is synonymous with the dining-music style Tafelmusik.

Telemann is said to have composed over 4,000 works and left behind many masterpieces.

Though active in Germany, he was also popular in France.

Telemann himself was a superb musician who played many instruments, including the violin, organ, harpsichord, recorder, and lute, and he was such a master that top-tier musicians invited him to perform with them.

It is very difficult to choose from among Telemann’s many great works, but I have selected some representative masterpieces and outstanding performances, and I hope you will give them a listen.

Masterpieces by Georg Philipp Telemann: Popular Classical Music (41–50)

Tafelmusik (Table Music), Book IGeorg Philipp Telemann

Telemann: Tafelmusik, Collection I – Orchestral Suite in E minor, TWV 55:e1

Tafelmusik (Table Music), Book IGeorg Philipp Telemann

“Tafelmusik” literally means music performed at the banquets of princes and nobles, but in reality it was written to be enjoyed as chamber music.

The Suite in E minor from Part I is scored for two flutes, string ensemble, and basso continuo.

It evokes a piece that calls to mind a table lavishly set with luxurious dishes.

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Trio Sonata in D minor, TWV 42:d10, for violin, recorder, and basso continuoGeorg Philipp Telemann

G.P.Telemann Triosonate d minor TWV 42:d10

Trio Sonata in D minor, TWV 42:d10, for violin, recorder, and basso continuoGeorg Philipp Telemann

Watch “Trio Sonata in D minor, TWV 42:d10, for violin, recorder, and basso continuo — Georg Philipp Telemann” on YouTube

Trio Sonata in D minor, TWV 42:d10, for violin, recorder, and basso continuo.

I.

Allegro, II.

Adagio, III.

Allegro, IV.

Presto.

Performed by Nora Gerbé, Alena Kalechyts-Piatrouskaya, and Ľubica Paurová.

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In conclusion

How was it? There are so many pieces that I couldn’t introduce them all here, but every one of them is a Baroque-era masterpiece by Telemann, and no matter which one you listen to, you can tell it’s Telemann.

In particular, his Tafelmusik—music intended to be performed at banquets and festivities—is well worth knowing.

There are also solo works for the viola, an instrument that rarely gets the spotlight as a soloist, and you may have been surprised at how wonderful the recorder can sound, an instrument many of us only encountered in school music classes.

I hope this gives you a chance to discover the beauty of Baroque music.

I’d be delighted if you continue listening to Telemann’s works in the future.