Telemann: The Secret Instrument Smuggler
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
Have you ever wondered who a composer really was?
The answer is they were people, just like you and me. They practised hard and sometimes found it tricky.
But they never gave up.
I would like to introduce you to Georg Philipp Telemann.
Georg loved music, he had singing lessons, could play the harpsichord (keyboard) and had taught himself the Baroque violin, zither, recorder and how to write his own music in the popular styles of the day. At twelve years old he decided to compose his first Opera. That is a stage show where people sang everything, even the talking sections.
The show was called ‘Sigismundus’ and was based on a text by the librettist called Christian Heinrich Postel. It was about the Royal Prince of Poland who lived a heroic life. Like all children he was fascinated by epic heroics, he even sang the title role himself in a DIY neighbourhood production.
However his mum hated it, banned him from playing music and told him to focus on his school work as he was not going to become a ‘musician’.
Telemann said
“Done! Music and instruments were whisked away and with them half of my life”
She hoped he would study law, or become a priest like his Dad who had died when he was only four years old. But, like many teenagers he had other ideas and continued to study music secretly.
He recounts
“My fire burned far too bright, and lighted my way into the path of innocent disobedience, so that I spent many a night with a pen in hand because I was forbidden it by day, and passed many hours in lonely places with borrowed instruments.”
Mum Telemann was furious as sent him to live with an old family friend who ran a school and was a theologian, historian, mathematician and academic. Unknown to her, he was also a specialist in Medieval Music History and was ecstatic with his new student and his musical gift.
Telemann excelled.
In time he met the young Handel in Halle, followed in Bach’s footsteps in Leipzig, and their paths crossed a number of times.
Later, Handel would jokingly say that Telemann
"could write a church piece in eight parts with the same expedition another would write a letter".
Bach named Telemann Godfather to his son Carl Philipp Emanual Bach, whose middle name was in honour of his Godfather.
Following his death in 1767 his Godson, C.P.E. Bach, was employed in his job in Hamburg.
His story is a fantastic example of how a passion for music can not only change a life but also change the future for over 250 years. In the end his story is one of high drama, epic heroes and historic tales about a boy who never gave up.
TMEP Stage 5 Version
This is the original version of the piece we have in the programme, but ours is for TMEP Stage 2, this one is from TMEP Stage 5.
Listening Questions
How does the sound of the harpsichord in the recording differ from the sound of a piano or keyboard you play at home?
How would you describe the mood or feeling of this piece of music; is it happy, dramatic, or calm?
Can you notice any changes in the volume or speed of the music as you listen?
Can you hear the difference between the instrument on the recording and the piano/keyboard you play at home? It is called the Harpsichord, in your Lap-Book it is a Superpower of the Baroque Era. Another superpower is Counterpoint.
TMEP Stage 2 Lap-Book Version
Counterpoint
Baroque music is famous for counterpoint, which means two or more different melodies are played at the exact same time.
Instead of the left hand just playing boring background chords, it gets its own melody!
It is like a perfectly timed 'musical conversation' between your right and left hands.
As you play this bouncy dance called a Gavotte, listen carefully to how your hands talk to each other where the left hand plays crotchets.
Can you add forte and piano signs to the music to help show who is talking?
This is one use of Terraced Dynamics in music. (We discussed these in the Antonio Vivaldi blog post).
Baroque Lap Book Project
For the Baroque Lap Book project you are starting with an un-decorated version of the main TMEP Stage 2 theme (above)
Download the Telemann Section on this link
You will need the following information for your lap book.
Baroque Era Superpower Accordion
Counterpoint: A musical conversation where 2 melodies talk to each other.
The Harpsichord: A keyboard instrument that plucks the strings.
The Baroque Flute: Made of wood and had only one metal key. It produces a soft, sweet, & gentle sound
Four Flap Composer Info Hub
Telemann
Flap: Born 1681 Died 1767
Played the Harpsichord and the Flute
Cover Image
Download the Lap Book Requirements
Comprehension Questions
1 . What instrument did Georg Philipp Telemann teach himself to play?
a) Piano
b) Baroque violin
c) Electric guitar
d) Trumpet
2 . Why did Telemann's mother ban him from playing music?
a) She thought it was too loud
b) She wanted him to study law or become a priest
c) She didn't like the songs he wrote
d) She wanted him to focus on painting
3 . What is the definition of "counterpoint" in Baroque music?
a) Playing the same melody on two instruments
b) When the music is very quiet
c) Two or more different melodies played at the same time
d) Playing music without any rhythm
Words to Learn
Baroque: A style of music from about 1600 to 1750.
Counterpoint: Two or more different melodies played at the same time, often like a conversation between hands.
Harpsichord: A keyboard instrument from the Baroque era that creates sound by plucking its strings.
Opera: A play where the characters sing all of their lines instead of speaking.
Librettist: A person who writes the words for an opera.
Terraced Dynamics: Sudden changes in music volume, either playing suddenly loud or suddenly soft.
