Telemann: a biographical sketch (2/2)
Through the years, he also became diplomatic correspondent, Kapellmeister of the courts of Duke Ernst of Gotha and eventually Kantor of the Hamburg Johanneum, a position that required him to compose two cantatas a week, to produce a new Passion annually, and to provide occasional works for church and civil ceremonies. But it wasn’t enough for Telemann who also wanted to have his hand at opera, despite the opposition of the city fathers. Fed up with their attitude, he threatened to resign and applied for the post of Kantor of the Leipzig Thomaskirche, and in 1722 was chosen over Bach, Graupner and three other candidates. Since the Hamburg City Council refused to grant his release, they were nevertheless obliged to improve his salary and withdraw their objections to his association with the Hamburg Opera. Telemann remained in Hamburg until his death in 1767, being succeeded in that position by his godson, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, son of Johann Sebastian.
Considered the most famous musician in Germany, Telemann was an extremely prolific composer, and wrote more than 3000 works (some sources mention 3600), including more than 1500 church cantatas, 600 suites for orchestra and 46 settings of the Passion! Handel, a lifelong friend, would jokingly relate that Telemann “could write a church piece in eight parts with the same expedition another would write a letter”.
Listen to Telemann and the Baroque Gypsies, Ensemble Caprice’s latest album…