大象传媒

Donald Macleod assesses Telemann, the canny businessman.

Georg Philipp Telemann was one of the most celebrated musicians of the 18th century. In Europe, his fame eclipsed that of his close contemporaries, Handel and Bach, and he left behind him a vast legacy of works. This week, Donald Macleod turns the spotlight on this often forgotten musical superstar, exploring the many challenges he met, the influence of his family and friends, and the composer鈥檚 involvement in promoting his own music.

Telemann was inspired by many national musical styles, including German, Polish, Italian and French. He was greatly admired for being able to assimilate these different styles and make them his own 鈥� plus his eclecticism helped his music reach a wide and appreciative audience across Europe. Telemann was determined to capitalise on this popularity; he invested in the latest printing technology and operated a team of contacts across different countries to market his music, and help maximise his profits.

Overture Suite in G, TWV 55:10 鈥淏urlesque de Don Quixotte鈥� (excerpt)
Collegium Musicum 90
Simon Standage

Flute Quartet in A minor, TWV 43:a3
Musica Antique K枚ln
Reinhard Goebel, director

Herr, ich habe lieb die St盲tte deines Hauses, TWV 2:2
M谩ria Z谩dori, soprano
Wilfried Jochens, tenor
Kai Wessel, counter-tenor
Stephan Schreckenberger, bass
Das Kleine Konzert
Rheinische Kantorei
Hermann Max, conductor

Concerto for Oboe in C minor, TWV 51:c1
Paul Dombrecht, obo茅
Il Fondamento

Trio in G minor, TWV 42:g5 (Essercizii musici)
Ton Koopman, harpsichord
Andrew Manze, violin
Jaap ter Linden, cello
Marcel Ponseele, oboe

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for 大象传媒 Wales