Composer

:

Georg Philipp Telemann

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1735 - 1736

Publication Date

:

1735 - 1736

Average_duration

:

7:42

Georg Philipp Telemann's "Der Geiz" (The Miser) is a secular cantata composed in 1725. It premiered in Hamburg, Germany, on January 6, 1725, and was performed by the Collegium Musicum, a group of amateur musicians that Telemann directed. The cantata consists of six movements and is scored for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists, as well as a choir and a small orchestra. The first movement is an overture in the French style, featuring a lively and energetic opening section followed by a slower, more contemplative middle section. The second movement is a recitative for the bass soloist, who sings the role of the miser. The text describes the miser's obsession with money and his refusal to spend it on anything other than himself. The third movement is an aria for the soprano soloist, who sings the role of the miser's daughter. The text describes her sadness and frustration at her father's stinginess and her longing for a more generous and loving father. The fourth movement is a duet for the alto and tenor soloists, who sing the roles of two friends of the miser. The text describes their attempts to persuade the miser to be more generous and to enjoy life more fully. The fifth movement is a chorus, in which the choir sings a hymn to the virtues of generosity and charity. The text encourages listeners to be more like the generous and kind-hearted people of the world. The final movement is a lively and joyful chorus, in which the choir and soloists sing of the joys of life and the pleasures of giving. Overall, "Der Geiz" is a lively and entertaining work that combines elements of French and Italian music with Telemann's own unique style. The cantata's themes of generosity and charity are timeless and continue to resonate with audiences today.

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