Telemann: Don Quixote Suite - Overture in G Major No. 10, TWV 55:G10

Description

George Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) loved to read, a fact well-represented by his Don Quixote Suite: Ouverture in G No. 10, TWV 55:G10 (Burlesque de Quichotte) for strings. Introducing his subject with an overture in the French style, he depicts seven different episodes from the novel by Miguel de Cervantes.

The work also serves a practical purpose as a Baroque dance suite. Specific references to the humorous events of the story foreshadow the episodic tone poem that Richard Strauss would later write for cello and orchestra.

Movements: 1. Overture; 2. Awakening of Don Quixote; 3. His Attack on the Windmills; 4. Sighs of Love for Princess Aline; 5. Sancho Pansa Swindled; 6. Rosinante Galloping; 7. The Gallop of Sancho Pansa's Mule; 8. Don Quixote at Rest.

Instrumentation: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Hpchd in Sc.