Water Music (Telemann)

Excerpt from the movement *Der stürmende Aeolus*

Water Music (Wassermusik), TWV 55:C3, is the common name of an orchestral suite by the German Baroque composer Georg Philipp Telemann, with the full title Hamburger Ebb' und Fluth (Hamburg ebb and flood).

Telemann composed the piece in ten movements to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Hamburg Admiralty [de] in a performance on 6 April 1723. The suite draws upon Hamburg's geographical location as an important and successful port on the river Elbe while Telemann illustrates the piece with mythological water deities and tone painting giving the nautical theme added depth. The overture begins by representing the physical movement of the ocean, followed by several dance movements: first, the sleeping sea goddess Thetis, the mother of Achilles, who then awakes; the sea god Neptune in love; playful water nymphs known as Naiads; Neptune's son and sea messenger Triton joking; Aeolus, ruler of the winds; and Zephir, god of the west wind. Two final pieces follow, one depicting the tides of Hamburg and finally, its happy sailors.^[1]^: 84–93 ^[2]^[3]

Movements

Ouverture in C major
Sarabande: Die schlafende Thetis (The sleeping Thetis)
Bourrée: Die erwachende Thetis (Thetis awakening)
Loure: Der verliebte Neptunus (Neptune in love)
Gavotte: Spielende Najaden (Playing Naiads)
Harlequinade: Der schertzende Tritonus (The joking Triton)
Tempête: Der stürmende Aeolus (The stormy Aeolus)
Menuett: Der angenehme Zephir (The pleasant Zephir)
Gigue: Ebbe und Fluth (Ebb and Flow)
Canarie: Die lustigen Boots Leute (The merry Boat People)

References

^ Zohn, Steven (2008). Music for a Mixed Taste: Style, Genre, and Meaning in Telemann's Instrumental Works. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198037961.
^ King, Robert (1997). Liner notes for Handel – Telemann, Water Music. The King's Consort. Hyperion Records. CDA66967. pp. 4–5.
^ Wilcox, Beverly (May 20, 2008). Miracle of the Nodal Vent. San Francisco Classical Voice. Retrieved March 6, 2015.

External links

Hamburger Ebb und Fluth: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
Water Music at AllMusic

[1] Zohn, Steven (2008). Music for a Mixed Taste: Style, Genre, and Meaning in Telemann's Instrumental Works. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198037961.

[2] King, Robert (1997). Liner notes for Handel – Telemann, Water Music. The King's Consort. Hyperion Records. CDA66967. pp. 4–5.

[3] Wilcox, Beverly (May 20, 2008). Miracle of the Nodal Vent. San Francisco Classical Voice. Retrieved March 6, 2015.

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[2]

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v t e Georg Philipp Telemann
Church cantatas	Cantata Cycle 1716-1717 Harmonischer Gottes-Dienst Das ist je gewißlich wahr, TWV 1:183 Gott der Hoffnung erfülle euch, TWV 1:634 Ich weiß, daß mein Erlöser lebt, TWV 1:877 Ich will den Kreuzweg gerne gehen, TWV 1:884 Siehe, es hat überwunden der Löwe, TWV 1:1328 Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, TWV 1:1342–1345 Wer ist der, so von Sodom kommt, TWV 1:1585
Operas	Germanicus Der neumodische Liebhaber Damon Der geduldige Socrates Sieg der Schönheit Pimpinone Orpheus Miriways Emma und Eginhard Flavius Bertaridus Don Quichotte auf der Hochzeit des Comacho
Other vocal	Passions, TWV 5 Der Tag des Gerichts, TWV 6:8 Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, TWV 8:7 Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt, TWV 8:10 Kapitänsmusik, TWV 15 Admiralitätsmusik, TWV 24
Instrumental	Tafelmusik Twelve Fantasias for Solo Flute Twelve Fantasias for Solo Violin Twelve Fantasias for Viola da Gamba Sonates sans basse XIIX Canons Mélodieux Concertos for Four Violins Paris quartets Viola Concerto Concerto for Two Violas Water Music
Catalogue of compositions: Telemann-Werke-Verzeichnis See also: List of Magnificat composers § Telemann Missa brevis § Baroque period Brockes Passion § Telemann Wer ist der, so von Edom kömmt § Telemann Category Commons