Telemann was the most respected German composer during his lifetime, influencing and overshadowing his slightly younger colleague, J. S. Bach. During Telemann’s years as a law student in Leipzig, he founded the Collegium Musicum that Bach eventually directed, and that hands-on practice with instrumental forms helped Telemann secure one of his first jobs with a duke in Eisenach, the same town where Bach had been born. Telemann eventually landed what was arguably the most prestigious post in all of Germany, directing music for the principal churches of Hamburg from 1721 until his death 46 years later. (Bach only lucked into the equivalent job in Leipzig in 1723 because the hiring committee couldn’t get Telemann.)

Telemann probably composed this quartet in the 1730s. Blending the Italian sonata tradition with rigorous, German-style counterpoint, this quartet featuring flute, oboe and violin accompanied by basso continuo demonstrates Telemann’s ability to write attractive music that never gets weighed down by contrapuntal complexity.

Aaron Grad ©2019