March - 14
Georg
Philipp Telemann (14 March 1681 – 25 June 1767) was a German Baroque composer
and multi-instrumentalist. Almost completely self-taught in music, he became a
composer against his family's wishes. After studying in Magdeburg, Zellerfeld,
and Hildesheim, Telemann entered the University of Leipzig to study law, but
eventually settled on a career in music. He held important positions in
Leipzig, Sorau, Eisenach, and Frankfurt before settling in Hamburg in 1721,
where he became musical director of the city's five main churches.
Telemann was
one of the most prolific composers in history and was considered by his
contemporaries to be one of the leading German composers of the time—he was
compared favourably both to his friend Johann Sebastian Bach, who made Telemann
the godfather and namesake of his son Carl Philipp Emanuel, and to George
Frideric Handel, whom Telemann also knew personally. Telemann's music
incorporates several national styles (French, Italian) and is even at times
influenced by Polish popular music. He remained at the forefront of all new
musical tendencies and his music is an important link between the late Baroque
and early Classical styles.
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