Six Canonic Sonatas by Georg Philipp Telemann

This Clear Note Edition is sold as two duplicate copies of the same book to facilitate ensemble reading.

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) ranked among the most successful composers during his lifetime, completely overshadowing J. S. Bach whose music was not fully appreciated until some years after his death. George Frederick Handel once said of Telemann that he could write a work in eight parts as easily as anyone else could write a letter.

The six Canonic Sonatas presented here are a collection originally entitled "Six Canons or Sonatas for two German Flutes or two Violins, Compos'd by Georg Philip Telemann." The title for this publication illustrates the practice of leaving some latitude in the choice of instruments, providing more opportunity for sales to the flourishing amateur Hausmusik market in Hamburg during that time. Each movement of these sonatas is a two-part canon in which both musicians play precisely the same lines, one measure apart.

I began exploring Telemann's all six canonic sonatas after playing the well-known third movement from sonata number one. This movement is a favorite with classical guitarists and has been performed and recorded many times. Telemann's unique treatment of harmony and rhythm in the individual movements, such as the suggestion of four-part arrangements for the voices of the slow middle movement and chromatic lines in the faster third movement of the first sonata are repeated in the subsequent sonatas giving the entire collection a structure that tickles the mind as much as it does the ear.

Often played by flutists, these pieces work well on any combination of similar sounding instruments. They are well liked in recitals, but its worth remembering they were written for the sheer enjoyment of playing them with a friend in the comfort of your own home.

Karl Wolff

SPACE