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Sax Solo Question- Telemann Sonata in C minor

Posted by Dubs on 12/17/2025, 9:25 am

I have a student that is interested in performing the Telemann Sonata and I have a question about the performance. For those not familiar with the piece it has an option to play "Telemann's embellished part". The piano score has the top line but all recordings have the "embellished" part. Please advise. Thanks

Re: Sax Solo Question- Telemann Sonata in C minor

Posted by Sax player on 12/19/2025, 9:36 pm, in reply to "Sax Solo Question- Telemann Sonata in C minor"

It's standard to play the embellished part. Performance practice of the time was for the composer to write the basic melody (the top line) and the performer to improvise their own embellishment. The written embellished part is Telemann's own example.

Re: Sax Solo Question- Telemann Sonata in C minor

Posted by Bald Eagle on 12/18/2025, 12:17 am, in reply to "Sax Solo Question- Telemann Sonata in C minor"

The PML only says you have to play 3 movements. The embellished part is optional.

I'd say I've had about a dozen students over the years play that piece. From what I can remember, 2 of them played the embellished part, while the others played the original unembellished part. No issues either way. As as you give the judge has the original he/she will see both parts and will figure out real quick which one the students plays.

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