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| GP Telemann |
Georg Philipp
Telemann
(1681-1767) was one of the most important and well-known German composers
of
his time. His accomplishments came, however, in the face of a difficult
personal life. His family intended him for the law, and when he persisted in
his passion for music (he composed his first opera at the age of 12) they confiscated
his instruments and unsuccessfully forbade further musical pursuits.
Luckily for history, his gifts and ability caught the attention of his
schoolteachers, classmates, ministers, civic leaders -- everyone around him, in
fact -- and law school never stood a chance. His first wife died early in their
marriage; his second wife cheated on him, incurred large gambling debts, and
later left him. He struggled with publishing disputes, near bankruptcy, and
failing health. |
| Michel Blavet |
Even so, Telemann was a prolific composer (one of the most
prolific in Western history) and was highly regarded by his peers, including Handel
and JS Bach (he was godfather to CPE Bach). Telemann published the first
German music periodical in an effort to encourage music making by amateurs and
music students. He also pioneered the idea of music as the intellectual
property of its composer. His compositions were innovative, combining elements
of musical styles from across Europe. He helped bridge the musical transition
from the Baroque to the Classical period.
 |
| J-P Guignon |
By the 1730s
Telemann was a famous composer, known throughout Europe. He wrote the first six
of the Paris Quartets in preparation for a visit in Paris at the invitation of
several famous musicians: flute player Michel Blavet, violinist Jean-Pierre
Guignon, viol player Jean-Baptiste Forqueray, and a cellist by
the name of Prince Edouard (today unknown). Telemann likely played harpsichord in these musical
encounters. He wrote separate obbligato parts for cello and viol in a very
diplomatic gesture, so the cellist and viol player could take turns in the ensemble.
The name “Paris Quartets” was stuck onto them only in the 20th
century; some of them were actually published in Hamburg. The pieces we are
performing today were originally named Nouveaux
Quatuors en Six Suites. While they have a French title and French suite form,
they were really more of a réunion des goûts, or a blending of the styles
of many countries. The
Paris Quartets sounded quite modern to contemporary ears, flirting with the
newly popular galant style.
 |
| J-B Forqueray |
Telemann
wrote this of his musical experience in Paris:
“The
admirable performances of these quartets by Messrs Blavet (transverse
flute), Guignon (violin), the younger Forcroy (viola da gamba) and Edouard (cello) would be worth describing, were it
possible for words to be found to do them justice. In short, they won the
attention of the ears of the court and the town, and procured for me in a very
little time an almost universal renown and increased esteem.”
Saturday, October 3, 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
326 Madison Avenue
Covington, KY 41011
Covington, KY 41011
Tickets $25, $10 students. Season tickets for Catacoustic's 15th season will also be available ($100 for five tickets) at the door, or at http://catacoustic.com/tickets/
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