AboutGeorg Philipp Telemann
Telemann was probably the most prolific composer of an already very creative era. As a child, he taught himself various instruments, but when he wanted to compose his first opera at the age of twelve, his family took away all his instruments and forbade him from any further involvement with music. Nevertheless, Telemann secretly continued to compose at boarding school. When he left Magdeburg in 1701, his instruments and previous compositions remained behind, so his fellow students at the University of Leipzig had no idea of his musical talents. One day, however, a roommate stumbled upon one of Telemann's compositions and had it performed in St. Thomas Church. In this way, the mayor of Leipzig also heard the piece, whereupon he offered Telemann a major composition commission, which was to become the starting signal for a brilliant career. In 1704, Telemann took over the organist position at the New Church, and in 1708 he was appointed Kapellmeister in Eisenach. In 1721, he became music director in Hamburg, and with this demanding task, he took responsibility for the city's church music and later also for the opera. Telemann's oeuvre includes around 1,000 orchestral suites, 600 overtures in the Italian style, 40 Passion oratorios, 40 operas, 1,000 cantatas, the instrumental collection Tafelmusik, and numerous pieces for harpsichord and organ.