G. P. Telemann
Concerto in E Minor
for Flute & Orchestra

Georg Philipp Telemann , organist and composer, was born on March 14, 1681 in Magdeburg, Germany and died June 25, 1767 in Hamburg, Germany. Today, J. S. Bach (1685-1750) and George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) are probably the most famous composers of the Baroque Period (1600-1750) in music; however, Telemann was born before, and outlived, both Bach and Handel; was more famous during his lifetime than either and, most remarkably, wrote more music than Bach and Handel combined - more than 6000 works including Operas, Oratorios, Passions, Cantatas, Sonatas, Motets, Quartets, Quintets, and, of course, Concertos!

One of the main differences between Baroque style and that of the Classical Period (1750-1825) which followed, was the use of counterpoint - literally note (“point”) against (“counter”) note (“point”). With 21th century ears, we tend to hear a single melody, usually the highest part, with (harmonic) accompaniment; however, much of Telemann’s music consists of several melodies, all of which are equally important.

At the start of the 18th century, music was only available to nobility or through the church - public concerts or even music stores didn’t exist. Telemann was a true innovator in making music available to the general public; he formed a student society called “Collegium musicum”, one of the first series of concerts that was actually open to the public - J. S. Bach took over as conductor in 1723, resulting in Bach’s developing the keyboard concerto, specifically for the summer concerts held in Zimmermann’s garden in Windmühlstrasse in Leipzig.

He also started a sort of “music by mail” subscription service and not only had many of his compositions published, he even engraved several himself.

FLUTE CONCERTO in E MINOR is one of 11 Flute concertos which he composed. This concerto is interesting in that, unlike the usual 3 movements of later Baroque Italian Solo Concertos, there are 5 movements (although the 5 bar 4th movement is really just a transition or introduction to the 5th movement). Even more interesting is that the Flute does not play in the 3rd movement.

The smp files combine the 4th & 5th movements as one file and include extra 3rd movement and Complete versions (file names start with “X”) which have Flute replacing 1st Violin in the 3rd Movement (an exercise in double tonguing and circular breathing!).

Solo Flute part - 9”X12” - 12 pages - $14.95
with CD - 7 smp files:
- 1st Movement (4/4, Allegro, quarter = 168);
- 2nd Movement (3/4, Adagio, eighth = 104);
- 3rd Movement (2/2, Presto, quarter = 148);
- 4th & 5th Movements (4/4, Adagio, eighth = 60; 6/8, Allegro, dotted quarter = 76);
- Complete (All five movements)
- X3rd Movement - Fl = 1st Vn (2/2, Presto, quarter = 148);
- XComplete (All five movements) - Fl = 1st Vn in 3rd
Please note that this is NOT an AUDIO CD
and an active SmartMusic subscription is needed to play smp files

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