He is one of the most prolific composers in history, [ 1 ] at least in terms of surviving oeuvre. Almost completely self-taught in music, he became a composer against his family's wishes. After studying in Magdeburg , Zellerfeld , and Hildesheim , Telemann entered the University of Leipzig to study law, but eventually settled on a career in music.
He held important positions in Leipzig , Sorau , Eisenach , and Frankfurt before settling in Hamburg in , where he became musical director of that city's five main churches. While Telemann's career prospered, his personal life was always troubled: his first wife died less than two years after their marriage, and his second wife had extramarital affairs and accumulated a large gambling debt before leaving him.
As part of his duties, he wrote a considerable amount of music for educating organists under his direction. This includes 48 chorale preludes and 20 small fugues modal fugues to accompany his chorale harmonisations for hymns. His music incorporates French, Italian, and German national styles, and he was at times even influenced by Polish popular music.
He remained at the forefront of all new musical tendencies, and his music stands as an important link between the late Baroque and early Classical styles. The Telemann Museum in Hamburg is dedicated to him.
Telemann was born in Magdeburg , [ 3 ] then the capital of the semi-autonomous Duchy of Magdeburg within the Electorate of Brandenburg , in the Holy Roman Empire. Despite opposition from his mother and relatives, who forbade any musical activities, Telemann found it possible to study and composed in secret, even creating an opera at the age of In , after studies at the Domschule in Magdeburg and at a school in Zellerfeld , Telemann was sent to the famous Gymnasium Andreanum at Hildesheim , [ 4 ] where his musical talent flourished, supported by school authorities, including the rector himself.
