Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Difficulty: Late Intermediate
Notes Used: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, B, C (high), D (high), Eb (high), F (high)
Key: C minor
Movements: I. Adagio - II. Allegro - III. Andante - IV. Vivace
A richly ornamented opening requiring sustained tone and expressive shaping.
Perpetual motion eighth notes with Italian-style energy.
Explore modulations through circle of fifths.
A lilting pastoral movement in 6/8 time with gentle ornamentation.
Virtuosic finale with rapid scales and dramatic leaps.
Practice extended trills with terminations.
Master compound ornaments (slide + trill, turn figures).
Practice the ascending and descending melodic minor forms.
Work on arpeggiated figures across two octaves.
Develop smooth transitions between flats and naturals.
This C minor Sonata represents Telemann's synthesis of French and Italian styles. While the Adagio shows French influence with its rich ornamentation, the Allegro and Vivace movements display Italian vivacity and clear tonal structure. The Andante in siciliano style was a favorite pastoral genre of the period. Telemann's sophisticated use of C minor creates opportunities for dramatic expression while testing the player's command of flat fingerings. The work demonstrates why Telemann was the most successful composer of his generation - combining technical challenge with musical substance and elegant proportion. This sonata would have been performed in Hamburg's Collegium Musicum or in private concerts for connoisseurs.