Violin Concerto in A Major “The Frogs” - by Georg Philipp Telemann

Описание

Violin Concerto in A Major “The Frogs” by Georg Philipp Telemann

Performed Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 | Broadmoor Community Church

Violin: Elisa Wicks
Conductor: Thomas Wilson
Audio/Video: Michael Lascuola
Program Notes: Ali Gioscia

Georg Philipp Telemann, though somewhat lesser known today, was an absolute titan in the musical world during his lifetime. Producing more than 3000 compositions during the course of his career, his output tripled that of his contemporary J.S. Bach and quintupled that of the future W.A. Mozart. Ever forward-looking, Telemann effortlessly adapted to the various German, French, Italian, and Polish musical idioms that were en vogue throughout the continent. His compositional style anticipates the light, airy textures of the rococo that would later be associated with his godson, C.P.E. Bach, but is still grounded in the intricate counterpoint of his day.

Telemann’s friend George Frideric Handel once wrote that Telemann could write a composition in 8 voices as quickly and easily as others could write a letter, and we see this contrapuntal brilliance on full display in his Violin Concerto in A Major, “The Frogs.” Featuring four separate violin parts, an unusually active viola part, and a cello part that is largely independent from the continuo, the work somehow never feels crowded, always maintaining the floating ease that is the hallmark of Telemann’s writing. The titular frog croak is achieved on the violin by playing the open A string along with a fingered A on the D string, producing a humorous, almost fiddle-like twang. This effect is not confined to the soloist’s part, but is passed throughout the orchestra, echoing through the hall like an army of frogs in the trees. In an unusual twist, Telemann chooses to end this work not with a showstopping finale, but with an approachable menuet.

Telemann was by all accounts an easygoing and likable personality, and an avid lover of gardening, nature, and botany. As we listen to this concerto, perhaps we would do well to imagine ourselves as guests in Telemann’s garden, dancing and laughing with friends as a chorus of frogs croaks away into the twilight.