Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)

Donald Macleod explores Carl Maria von Weber’s city lives and
those dramas and scandals survived throughout.


Weber’s relationship with European cities mirrored his life and
work, from the restless wandering of his earlier years, to the
way his life changed after the success of his opera Der
Freischütz. And in his final months he travelled to London to
compose and produce another major opera, Oberon, but would die
after giving its first performances.


The young Weber had an unerring ability to cause offence. He got
involved in multiple love affairs that caused him problems. He
was also very good at racking up debts. These traits unfold as we
follow Weber’s picaresque journeys around Europe, flitting from
city to city: sometimes chasing opportunities, sometimes in
disgrace, at other times escorted away under armed guard.


Music Featured:


Grande polonaise in E-Flat major, Op 21, J. 59 Der Beherrscher
der Geister (Ruler of Spirits), J. 122 Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat
major, Op 34, J. 182 (1st mvt) Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op 19,
J. 50 (1st and 2nd mvt) Das Hifthorn schallt, ‘Huntsmen's Chorus’
(Silvana, Act 1) Momento capriccioso, Op 12, J.56 Piano Concerto
No 1 in C major, Op 11, J. 98 Clarinet Concertino in C minor /
E-Flat major, Op 26, J. 109 Abu Hassan, J. 106 (Overture) Piano
Concerto No 2 in E-Flat major, Op 32, J. 155 (2nd and 3rd mvt) 9
Variations on a Russian Theme, "Schöne Minka", Op 40, J. 179
Missa sancta No 1, Op 75, J. 224 (Kyrie and Gloria) Aufforderung
zum Tanze, Op 65, J. 260 Der Freischütz, J. 277 (Act 3: Finale)
Oberon, J. 306 (Overture) O Araby dear (Oberon, J. 306, Act 3)
Piano Sonata No 4 in E minor, Op 70, J. 287 (3rd mvt)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Iain Chambers


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Carl Maria von Weber
(1786-1826) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001cckh


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z