Twelve Fantasias: for Trumpet or TC Euphonium

Twelve Fantasias – Telemann/Klages for unaccompanied Trumpet or TC Euphonium In the baroque era the distinction between performers and composers was not nearly as clear as it has since become. Telemann was typical of most composers in that he was also a professional performer–at a very high level, in fact–and most performers were far better versed in composition and improvisation than their twentieth-century counterparts. Accepting the invitation implicit in the title, I like to think of Telemann’s Fantasias as written-down improvisations by a very quick-witted composer/flutist, able to imply two-part counterpoint (not so far-fetched, when we recall that Bach could improvise at the keyboard in strict four-part counterpoint), and with a variety of surprises in store for the attentive listener. – JK