Tuts telemann biography

Telemann was one of the foremost German composers of the first half of the eighteenth century and an important figure in the transition between the late Baroque and early Classical idioms. Constantly moving with the times, his works embraced a wide variety of vocal and instrumental genres, marrying Italian, French and Polish styles into one that was essentially German.

Raised in a devout Lutheran family, Telemann received singing and keyboard lessons but was largely self-taught musically. In 1701 he entered Leipzig University to study law but music proved the stronger attraction. He undertook to compose fortnightly for Leipzig’s two principal churches, established a student ‘Collegium Musicum’ for public concert-giving, and worked as musical director for the Opernhaus auf dem Brühl and as organist/choirmaster at the Neukirche.

Telemann’s 1705 appointment as Kapellmeister for Count Erdmann II of Promnitz at Sorau opened his ears to works by French composers such as Lul