Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was born in Magdeburg, Germany. His father and brother were Lutheran clergymen, and a similar career was intended for Georg. He went to Leipzig to study law, but music took over, and he founded the Collegium Musicum to give public concerts. This institute was later directed by Bach. Telemann then worked in Frankfurt for 9 years before moving in 1721, to Hamburg, where he lived for the rest of his life.
Telemann's compositions were prolific, mainly concertos, orchestral suites, and chamber works. Generally it is lighter than the music of his contemporary, J.S.Bach, in the 'style galant' fashionable at that time. The 'galant' style is characterized by tuneful melodies, lucid textures, and a feeling of relaxed elegance and grace. Much of it was intended for amateur players, and so is not difficult to play