Telemann, Georg Philipp (1681, 1767)

The German composer and organist Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was so prolific that he was never able to count the number of his compositions. Self-taught in music, he studied languages and science at the University of Leipzig. He held a series of important musical positions, culminating in that of music director of the five largest churches in Hamburg.

Telemann traveled widely and incorporated French elegance and the melodic facility of the Italian style into his own compositions.

He was a friend of Johann Sebastian Bach and godfather to Bach's son Carl Philipp Emanuel. Handel, another friend, was quoted as saying that Telemann could write an eight-part motet as easily as anybody else could write a letter.

Telemann's amazing productivity resulted in 12 cycles of cantatas for the entire church year. He also composed huge quantities of chamber music; many concertos, and solo harpsichord and organ works; about 600 orchestral suites; and 40 operas.