Document Type
Review of a Music Recording
Publication Date
9-2005
Abstract
Georg Philipp Telemann ( 1681-1767) found his niche as the Kantor/Kapellmeister of the Johanneum Lateinschule and principal churches in Hamburg, for it gave him the opportunity to compose numerous works in a variety of media, both sacred and secular. During his tenure in this position, from 1721 to his death in 1767, his sacred music output encompassed some twenty cycles of cantatas, as well as significant numbers of passions and oratorios and a sprinkling of motets and psalm settings. While in sheer volume his cantata output far outstripped that of Johann Sebastian Bach, Telemann's reputation in music history classes resides chiefly in his instrumental music, particularly his Tafel musik. Early on, recordings of Telemann's instrumental music have been somewhat plentiful. Attention has now turned to his cantatas, passions, oratorios, and a smattering of operas. This recording of a few of the relatively unknown motets and psalm settings is, therefore, quite a welcome addition to the ever-growing Telemann discography, affording a glimpse into the craftsmanship that characterizes Germany's leading early 18th-century composer.
Recommended Citation
Stroeher, Vickie. Review of Georg Philipp Telemann, Ein feste Burg, Carus Records, 2005. Choral Journal 46 (September 2005): 79-80.
Comments
Copyright © 2005 American Choral Directors Association. Printed with permission. All rights reserved.