Geistliches Singen und Spielen – G. P. Telemann

When it comes to conveying spiritual content to the congregation, all available means must be used. The poet, theologian and rhetorician Erdmann Neumeister and Telemann agreed on this, and the development of sacred music in the Protestant world around 1700 was strongly influenced by this view. Neumeister’s transfer of operatic poetic forms to church music texts, in which recitative and aria were combined with Bible verses (dictums) and chorales, led to the development of Geistliches Singen und Spielen (spiritual singing and playing). Telemann’s setting of these texts from 1710/11 for Eisenach became a model for Protestant church music. Neumeister’s lyrical expression and rhetorical richness met with Telemann’s imaginative composition, clearly demonstrating the possibilities offered by the four textual and musical components in terms of content and emotional impact. Telemann combines high artistic standards with the direct accessibility of his music, and the popularity of the work was widespread and long-lasting.

In collaboration with the Freiburger Barockorchester.

March 14, 16:00 | Germany | Pauluskirche, Magdebourg
Telemann Festtage
https://telemann.de/event/geistliches-singen-und-spielen

March 15, 19:00 | Germany | Konzerthaus, Freiburg
https://barockorchester.de/konzertkalender/bach-telemann-freiburg/

March 16, 20:00 | Germany | Liederhalle, Stuttgart
Internationalen Bachfest Stuttgart 2026
https://barockorchester.de/konzertkalender/bach-telemann-stuttgart/

March 28, 19:00 | Germany | Georgenkirche, Eisenach
Thüringer Bachwochen
https://www.thueringer-bachwochen.de/en/events/2026/v8-kroenung-der-kantaten/