tafelmusik and its virtues
Sometimes people want to have classical background music to study to or dine to, but they choose the wrong stuff. Mahler symphonies have their place, but they're far too attention-getting and dynamic — too soft, too loud, too dramatic — for such a purpose. It's like having Vasari's Last Judgment for your wallpaper.
George Philip Telemann's Tafelmusik, though, is perfect: great to just have on as you think and write, or play, or dine, or party, but also it rewards any level of attention you give to it. Superbly mapped out and executed, it's one of the great unsung works of art.
And all of it was written to be enjoyed while eating. What a testament to the enduring power and nobleness of having a good meal in good company with good music. Just at the dawn of an era when composers were beginning to think of themselves as outcast priests and prophets and misunderstood geniuses, Telemann was pouring all his mighty creativity into music not for the concert hall but for the banquet hall, knowing that it wouldn't be studied and listened to with bated breath by some respectful audience listening in silence, but rather it would be background music, to lend delight and wit to every conversation, to make the food better, to make people friendlier and heartier. It's an affirmation that every single thing can and should be done well, and that no aspect of life should be overlooked.
George Philip Telemann's Tafelmusik, though, is perfect: great to just have on as you think and write, or play, or dine, or party, but also it rewards any level of attention you give to it. Superbly mapped out and executed, it's one of the great unsung works of art.
And all of it was written to be enjoyed while eating. What a testament to the enduring power and nobleness of having a good meal in good company with good music. Just at the dawn of an era when composers were beginning to think of themselves as outcast priests and prophets and misunderstood geniuses, Telemann was pouring all his mighty creativity into music not for the concert hall but for the banquet hall, knowing that it wouldn't be studied and listened to with bated breath by some respectful audience listening in silence, but rather it would be background music, to lend delight and wit to every conversation, to make the food better, to make people friendlier and heartier. It's an affirmation that every single thing can and should be done well, and that no aspect of life should be overlooked.
Comments