This is not the easiest of the Methodical Sonatas, but is worth the study.
Georg Philipp Telemann’s twelve Methodical Sonatas for transverse flute (or violin) and continuo were published by the composer in two volumes in 1728 and 1732. Somewhat confusingly, the first volume has an Italian title, the SONATE METODICHE / a Violino Solo / o Flauto traverso. . . Opera XII, while the second volume has a French title, the Continuation des SONATES METODIQUES a Flute traverse / ou a / Violon.
A newspaper advertisement of 1728 announcing the first batch of the pieces runs as follows: “Sonate metodiche, welche denen sehr nutzlich sein seyn können, so der sangbaren Manieren sich befleißigen wollen” (“Methodical Sonatas which may be very useful to those who wish to apply themselves to cantabile ornamentation”). In fact the most striking feature of these sonatas is the decorated slow movements, in which Telemann gives both the basic melody, and his elegantly decorated version. In performing these movements particular attention should be paid to the word cantabile in Telemann’s blurb.
For more information on Telemann’s Sonate Metodiche, including some analysis of the ornamentation,
see our complete edition of all twelve sonatas ↣.
(Bernard Thomas)
