is a collection of instrumental compositions by

Georg Philipp Telemann Georg Philipp Telemann (; – 25 June 1767) was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Almost completely self-taught in music, he became a composer against his family's wishes. After studying in Magdeburg, Zellerfeld, and Hild ...

(1681–1767), published in 1733. The original title is . The work is one of Telemann's most widely known compositions; it is the climax and at the same time one of the last examples of courtly table music.

Publication

The composition addressed predominantly wealthy music lovers. The complete set of parts of the extensive work, engraved in copper, cost 8

Reichsthaler The ''Reichsthaler'' (; modern spelling Reichstaler), or more specifically the ''Reichsthaler specie'', was a standard thaler silver coin introduced by the Holy Roman Empire in 1566 for use in all German states, minted in various versions for the ...

— an exorbitant price, considering the fact that

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the '' Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard wo ...

received the same sum as remuneration for a complete orchestra at a court concert. More than 200 subscribers were found who were willing to pay the price in advance and whose name, social status, and address were published in the first edition. The illustrious list comprised crowned heads, noblewomen, and merchants as well as German and non-German musicians and composers — among others George Frideric Handel from London,

Johann Georg Pisendel Johann Georg Pisendel ( – 25 November 1755) was a German Baroque violinist and composer who, for many years, led the Court Orchestra in Dresden as concertmaster, then the finest instrumental ensemble in Europe. He was the leading violinist of ...

and

Johann Joachim Quantz Johann Joachim Quantz (; 30 January 1697 – 12 July 1773) was a German composer, flutist and flute maker of the late Baroque period. Much of his professional career was spent in the court of Frederick the Great. Quantz composed hundreds of flute ...

from Dresden and

Michel Blavet Michel Blavet (March 13, 1700 – October 28, 1768) was a French composer and flute virtuoso. Although Blavet taught himself to play almost every instrument, he specialized in the bassoon and the flute which he held to the left, the opposite of ho ...

from Paris. Telemann, who was music director of Hamburg at the time of publication, wrote:

This work will hopefully bring me glory one day; but you will never have regrets about its value ...

Max Seiffert Maximilian Seiffert (9 February 1868 – 15 April 1948) was a German musicologist and editor of Baroque music. Biography Seiffert was born in Beeskow an der Spree, Germany, the son of a teacher. He was first educated at the Joachimsthal Gymna ...

proved 18 different citations from the ''Tafelmusik'' in Handel's works — in their time this was not considered plagiarism. Quite on the contrary, Telemann felt flattered, the more so as Handel reciprocated by procuring rare plants for his old friend.

Structure

The work consists of three parts (french: productions, link=no) with equal structure: they begin with an overture for full-scale orchestra, followed by a quartet for three instruments and continuo, an instrumental concerto for several solo instruments and strings, a

trio sonata The trio sonata is a genre, typically consisting of several movements, with two melody instruments and basso continuo. Originating in the early 17th century, the trio sonata was a favorite chamber ensemble combination in the Baroque era. Basic s ...

and a solo sonata with continuo. The final movements are titled ''Conclusion'' by Telemann: he resumes the key and

instrumentation Instrumentation a collective term for measuring instruments that are used for indicating, measuring and recording physical quantities. The term has its origins in the art and science of scientific instrument-making. Instrumentation can refer to ...

of the overture; beyond that, keys and instrumentation follow no discernible scheme. With overture, concert, trio and solo sonata and the — in Baroque times — rare quartet, each part offers an example of the most important instrumental genres.

''1. Production''

Ouverture (Suite) in e minor, TWV 55:e1 for two flutes, strings and continuo Quartet in G major, TWV 43:G2 for flute, oboe, violin and continuo Concerto in A major, TWV 53:A2 for flute, violin, violoncello, strings and continuo Trio in E-flat major, TWV 42:Es1 for two violins and continuo Sonata in B minor, TWV 41:h4 for flute and continuo Conclusion in e minor, TWV 50:5 for two flutes, strings and continuo * Sinfonia

''2. Production''

Ouverture (Suite) in D major, TWV 55:D1 for oboe, trumpet, strings and continuo Quartet in d minor, TWV 43:d1 for two flutes, recorder (or bassoon) and continuo Concerto in F major, TWV 53:F1 for three violins, strings and continuo Trio in e minor, TWV 42:e2 for flute, oboe and continuo Sonate in A major, TWV 41:A4 for violin and continuo Conclusion in D major, TWV 50:9 for oboe, trumpet, strings and continuo * Allegro – Adagio – Allegro

''3. Production''

Overture (Suite) in B-flat major, TWV 55:B1 for two oboes, bassoon, strings, continuo Quartet in e minor, TWV 43:e2 for flute, violin, violoncello and continuo Concerto in E-flat major, TWV 54:Es1 for two horns, strings and continuo Trio in D major, TWV 42:D5 for two flutes and continuo Sonata in g minor, TWV 41:g6 for oboe and continuo Conclusion in B-flat major, TWV 50:10 for two oboes, bassoon, strings, continuo * Furioso

External links

* (edition by

, '' Denkmäler deutscher Tonkunst'') {{Authority control Compositions by Georg Philipp Telemann 1733 compositions