Michael Alexander Willens receives the Telemann Prize 2026 and releases a new Telemann CD with “his” Koelner Akademie on the cpo label today.

​The American Willens will be honoured for his tireless commitment to the interpretation and preservation of Georg Philipp Telemann's work during a ceremony at the Old Town Hall in Magdeburg on 14 March 2026. The seventh recording of works by the Magdeburg composer includes the premiere recording of the Frankfurt Festive Music 1716. On the Birth of an Imperial Prince. In addition to Auf, Christenheit! Begeh ein Freudenfest TWV 12:a/b the Serenata Deutschland grünt und blüht im Friede,TVWV 12:1c can also be heard.

Telemann presented this “Frankfurter Festmusiken” as a commissioned work for the celebrations marking the birth of the Habsburg heir to the throne in April 1716.

Credits: © Matthias Baus