Georg Michael Telemann facts for kids

Georg Michael Telemann (born April 20, 1748 – died March 4, 1831) was a German composer and a theologian. A theologian is someone who studies religion and religious beliefs. He is known for his musical works and for continuing the legacy of his famous grandfather, Georg Philipp Telemann.

Early Life and Education

Georg Michael Telemann was born in Plön, Germany. His father, Andreas Telemann, was a local pastor, and his mother was Augusta Clara Catharina Capsius. Sadly, his father passed away in 1755 when Georg Michael was only seven years old.

After his father's death, Georg Michael moved to Hamburg. There, he was raised by his grandfather, the well-known composer Georg Philipp Telemann. This was a very important time for young Georg Michael, as he grew up surrounded by music.

He attended the Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums in Hamburg, which was a famous school. Later, from 1770, he also studied at the Akademisches Gymnasium. These schools helped him develop his knowledge and skills.

Musical Beginnings

When his grandfather, Georg Philipp Telemann, passed away in 1767, Georg Michael was 19 years old. To honor his grandfather, he composed a special piece of music called Trauer-Ode auf das betrübte Absterben meines Großvaters Herrn Georg Philipp Telemann. This translates to "Mourning Ode on the Sad Death of my Grandfather Mr. Georg Philipp Telemann."

For a short time, Georg Michael took over some of his grandfather's important roles. He became the Cantor at the Johanneum school and the director of music for Hamburg's churches. A Cantor is a leader of music in a church or school. However, in March 1768, another famous composer, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, took over these positions.

From 1770 to 1772, Georg Michael continued his studies at the University of Kiel. In 1773, while still in Hamburg, he wrote a book about playing a musical technique called continuo. This book was titled Unterricht im Generalbaß-Spielen. Continuo playing is a way of providing a musical foundation, often with a keyboard instrument, for other musicians.

Career in Riga

In 1773, Georg Michael Telemann moved to Riga, a city now in Latvia. There, he was appointed as the music director for the city's churches and also became the cantor at Riga Cathedral. This was a very important job, as it meant he was in charge of all the church music in the city.

As part of his work in Riga, he also directed performances of twenty-one of his grandfather's passions. Passions are special musical works that tell the story of Jesus's suffering and death. He also taught music at the cathedral school, sharing his knowledge with younger students.

Later in his life, in 1812, he published a collection of Chorale settings for the organ. Chorale settings are musical arrangements of hymns, often for church services. This collection was called Sammlung alter und neuer Choral-Melodien. A year after that, he became the official organist at the Riga Cathedral.

Georg Michael Telemann retired in 1828 because his eyesight was getting worse. He passed away in Riga in 1831, leaving behind a legacy of music and a strong connection to his family's musical heritage.