Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was a German composer, instrumentalist and music director, and one of the most prolific composers of the Baroque era. Born in Magdeburg, he worked in Leipzig, Frankfurt and Hamburg.

His vast output includes church cantatas, passions, operas, orchestral suites, concertos, chamber music and keyboard works. He was admired across Europe in his lifetime.

Telemann’s music is fluent, inventive and remarkably adaptable, drawing on German, French, Italian and Polish styles. He wrote with ease, clarity and a keen sense of audience.

Long overshadowed by Bach and Handel, Telemann has regained much of his stature. His catalogue is not a cupboard but a whole warehouse, and much of it still smells surprisingly fresh.