When Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) announced the planned publication for his Musique de Table, or Tafelmusik, in December 1732, he was rewarded with an amazing list of 206 subscribers including members of the nobility, the church, and the bourgeois, as well as professional musicians, including "Mr. Hendel, Docteur en Musique, Londres." In 1733, Telemann's Tafelmusik was issued in three parts, each part consisting of several works in different forms. The first part, published on Ascension Day 1733, opened with a huge Overture in E minor. Scored for two flutes and strings plus basso continuo, the Overture is in nine movements lasting almost half an hour. Essentially a French suite in form with Italianate concertante episodes, the Overture begins with a grand Lentement followed by a lively Vite and a return of the opening Lentement. This three-movement-in-one opening is followed by a succession of French dance pieces: a joyous "Rejouissance" followed by a brilliant Rondeau; a charming "Loure"; an amusing Passepied; a tender "Air, un peu vivement"; and closing with a cheerful Gigue.

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