THE society's last evening concentrated on the work of Telemann, who was a prolific composer and probably composed more music than any other – more than 3,000 works are known including 1,043 cantatas.

He was a contemporary of JS Bach and Handel and was probably better known than either in his lifetime. However, he is less well known now and the fame of his contemporaries has eclipsed him.

There is much to admire and the presentation to the society by Angus Menzies introduced us to the range of his output.

George Philipp Telemann was born in 1681 at Magdebourg in Germany and was clearly a child prodigy, being able to play four instruments by the age of ten.

His parents wanted him to go into the church and he did indeed start studies in this direction but gave them up after a year.

He studied at Leipzig and at 21 became the musical director of the opera there.

There were subsequent appointments in Zary, Frankfurt and finally in Hamburg. His first wife died young and his second left him for a Swedish nobleman.

Angus played a range of music from some of his earliest compositions up until his death in Hamburg. Pieces included Concerto in G major for recorder; oboe and violin; Overture in D major from Jubeloratorium; a scene from Orpheus, and the curious Volker overture Turcs; Suisses and Muscovites.

An enjoyable evening and we were pleased to welcome some more new members.

Further details at salisburyrms.org.