Fantasia No 1 for solo flute in A Major (TWV 40:2)
G.P. Telemann: 12 Fantasies for flute solo were composed in 1727 and had a big influence on flute repertoire not only in the first part of the eighteenth century. Some movements include seemingly impossible features for the flute at that time: fugues, French overture, and passacaglia.
These fantasies were published in Hamburg, where Telemann was serving as the music director of the city's five main churches. The publication of the fantasies made them accessible to a wider audience, and they quickly became popular among flutists.
The historical and cultural context of these fantasies is rooted in the Baroque era, a time when the flute was gaining popularity as a solo instrument. Telemann's fantasies reflect the Baroque fascination with contrast and variety, as well as the growing interest in instrumental virtuosity.
Telemann Georg Philipp
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was one of the most prolific German composers of all times. From over 3000 compositions he produced, almost half have been lost. He was highly regarded by composers of his time: J.S.Bach and Handel studied his published compositions, and his music was popular across all Europe.
Telemann was born in Magdeburg and became musician despite his mother’s pressure to become a lawyer. Instead, he became a professional musician, regularly composing for Leipzig’s main venues: St.Nicolas Church and St.Thomas.
In 1706 he entered the service of Duke Johann Wilhelm in Eisenach, the native town of J.S.Bach. After his wife’s death in 1711, Telemann moved to Frankfurt and became Kapellmeister at the St.Catherine’s Church and remarried three years later.
In 1721 he moved to Hamburg, accepting invitation to work as Kantor of city’s five largest churches. His wife’s gambling debts almost let him into bankruptcy, but he managed to come through due to his successful music and poetry publications. After his separation from the wife, he dedicated more time to theoretical studies and gardening, a hobby shared by Handel as well.
Telemann’s music greatly influenced composers of late Baroque and early Classical styles. Starting from 1710s he represented so-called German mixed style which combined German, French, Italian and Polish styles of that time.