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Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767) was a German Baroque composer who was largely self-taught and produced one of the largest catalogues in Western music, with over three thousand works across virtually every genre. He was more celebrated than Bach during his lifetime and was Bach's preferred choice as godfather to his son Carl Philipp Emanuel. When Leipzig sought a new Thomaskantor in 1722, Telemann was their first choice; he used the offer to negotiate a pay rise from Hamburg instead, leaving the post to Bach. He spent forty-six years as city music director in Hamburg and composed prolifically until his death at eighty-six.

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