Help with Telemann

[Dave]

Hello, just joined, first post.

Are there any Telemann fans here who could give me some advice? I'm recently minded to explore Telemann's music. I've never bothered before, having thought it a bit philistine to use listening time on Telemann that might be spent on Bach. However, I think I would like to find some room in my listening for Telemann when I'm not luxuriating my cerebral cortex in the higher pleasures of The Musical Offering or the Art of Fugue.

So, could anyone recommend where to start in the vast oeuvre of Telemann? I would be grateful for suggestions of anything, but particularly chamber music, and any works that particularly stand out as this composer's masterpieces. Also, I would welcome suggestions of particular recordings, especially if they are digital-era, and 'historically informed'.

[Allen]

Dave,

Welcome to the board.

Some info. on Telemann:

http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/telemann.html

Happy listening!

[Febnyc]

Phew - that's a tall order, considering the torrent of music (his "vast oeuvre" is a good description) with Telemann's name on it.

On the chamber side, I always enjoy the "Paris" Quartets, via a recording by the ensemble called Florilegium, on a Channel Classics discs.

[Ralph]

Hi and welcome! Hope you post often.

"Tafelmusik" is a fine example of Telemann's music, very enjoyable and with any number of decent recordings on original instruments available.

[Chalkperson]

Hey Dave, welcome to our little Virtual Village, keep posting...many of us here enjoy Telemann, but there is so much to choose from, The Paris Quartets, the Esercizii Music, Tafelmusic, the Gamba/Oboe/Flute Sonatas...the list is endless...as for performances it's rare to find bad ones, so just take a chance...try Floriligium, Christophe Coin, Music Alpa Ripa, Paul Goodwin, Music Antiqua Koln, Colligium Musica 90 for starters...chalkie

[Corlyss_D]

Hello, just joined, first post.

Are there any Telemann fans here who could give me some advice? I'm recently minded to explore Telemann's music. I've never bothered before, having thought it a bit philistine to use listening time on Telemann that might be spent on Bach. However, I think I would like to find some room in my listening for Telemann when I'm not luxuriating my cerebral cortex in the higher pleasures of The Musical Offering or the Art of Fugue.

So, could anyone recommend where to start in the vast oeuvre of Telemann? I would be grateful for suggestions of anything, but particularly chamber music, and any works that particularly stand out as this composer's masterpieces. Also, I would welcome suggestions of particular recordings, especially if they are digital-era, and 'historically informed'.

Hey, Dave. Welcome. Kick your shoes off and set a spell.

Start with the ubiquitous Water Music (or Hamburg Tides), then the Tafelmusik, then the Darmstadt overtures (not overtures to something, but a large multiple movement work for Baroque orchestra). The groups you want to focus on is Reinhard Goebel's Musica Antiqua Koln, Concentus Musica Wien under Harnoncourt, Camerata Koln, and Philip Pickett's New London Consort. Naxos has quite a bit of very good Telemann, including an early disc of concerti, especially his concerto in G for viola.

[johnQpublic]

I just listened for the umpteenth time to Telemann's "Wassermusik" (Water Music). It's a terrific Suite with clever musical depictions of sea characters and those affected by them.

[SONNET CLV]

...Telemann fans here ...?

I first gained an appreciation for Telemann's music from a set of Philips vinyl discs: MARKUS-PASSION (1759) with Choeur des Jeunes, Lausanne and the Orchester Pro Arte-Munchen conducted by Kurt Redel. I love this piece, and my copy is still pristine. The vinyl is silent, and I can still smell the ink of the liner notes, though I've had this box for well over 30 years -- possibly 40 years! Yikes! Which goes to show what a clean, well cared for record played only on quality equipment can sound like after a couple of decades. Which is why I still love vinyl. (Could I only hold up so well!!!)

This may be available on a CD issue coupled with a couple of Magnificats. Apparently -- my liner notes tell me -- Telemann composed some forty-four passions of which about half survive. "The Saint Mark Passion, written in 1759, and rescued from oblivion by Kurt Redel, exists neither in manuscript nor in print. The performance heard here is based on the singing parts and on a copy dating from 1769, which was made by F.W. Kast. Kast rightly observes that this Saint Mark Passion is 'one of Telemann's best Passions and although not printed is well worthy of it." Quoted notes are from Prof. Dr. Erich Valentin.

There are quite a few Bach-like touches in this Passion. Yet, it is distinctly not Bach, either. In any case, it has long been a favorite Telemann listen.

Too, I've gotten considerable pleasure from a BRILLIANT CLASSICS box set titled "TELEMANN Concertos" -- a 3 CD set numbered 99677. The variety of concerti include some for trumpets, flutes, oboes, and combinations of these instruments and others. Good listening, and a great set of varied music to begin a Telemann collection with. The sound quality is great, as well.

If you like blaring music, BRILLIANT also offers a fine set of Trumpet Concertos -- a 4 CD set performed strikingly by Otto Sauter. Who needs heavy metal bands when you got this stuff cranked up on the big rig? I know I don't!

Happy listening.

--SONNET CLV (currently listening to Georg Philipp Telemann's Markus-Passion on a PHILIPS black disc 6768027)--

PS -- I'm still waiting for BRILLIANT CLASSICS to bring out the "Complete Telemann" box set. But I understand such a project may deplete the current oil reserves (as the CD product is still petroleum based), so we may have to wait a while till chemists come up with a solution. Alas ...

[Gurn Blanston]

As a starter, given that you like chamber music, I can only echo Frank (Febnyc) and recommend the Paris Quartets. Lovely pieces. In addition to the Floreguim that he mentions. I can also safely recommend Brüggen, Schröder, Bylsma & Leonhardt on Teldec. This is a very nice recording, and still generally available, I believe.

Another interesting choice, a bit off the beaten path, is the "12 Fantasias for Violin Solo" performed by Andrew Manze.



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Now playing: Dvorak Op 094 - Ma BPO/ Maazel - Dvorak Rondo in g for Cello & Orchestra Op 94

[Corlyss_D]

...Telemann fans here ...?

I first gained an appreciation for Telemann's music from a set of Philips vinyl discs: MARKUS-PASSION (1759) with Choeur des Jeunes, Lausanne and the Orchester Pro Arte-Munchen conducted by Kurt Redel. I love this piece, and my copy is still pristine. The vinyl is silent, and I can still smell the ink of the liner notes, though I've had this box for well over 30 years -- possibly 40 years! Yikes! Which goes to show what a clean, well cared for record played only on quality equipment can sound like after a couple of decades. Which is why I still love vinyl. (Could I only hold up so well!!!)

Same here. I can lay my hands on it in 30 secs. I love the Magnificats too by the same crew if memory serves.

PS -- I'm still waiting for BRILLIANT CLASSICS to bring out the "Complete Telemann" box set.

Since they do only reprints, it will be a small set, unless they want to do just every Water Music recording ever made. There really isn't much variety in Telemann issues, which is the real shame. Naxos probably has more variety than the rest of the labels combined.

[Dave]

Thanks to all for your excellent advice, and also for your friendly welcome. (Sorry for the tardiness of my reply.)

I've made a note of the suggestions of works and recordings and look forward to investigating them.