Description
Book SynopsisScholars have long recognized Carl Maria von Weber as the father of the German Romantic and Nationalist music. The success of his opera Der Freischütz almost single handedly brought German operatic style onto the world stage, competing with and challenging established operatic traditions in France and Italy. Indeed the overtures to his last three operas, Der Freischütz, Euryanthe, and Oberon initiated the genre of the concert overture and are a part of the standard repertoire for most modern symphony orchestras. His works in other genres, including his various concerti and chamber works also stand as centerpieces in the modern concert hall.In Experiencing Carl Maria von Weber: A Listener''s Companion, Joseph Morgan walks readers through the many masterpieces that comprise Weber''s oeuvre, providing key insights by integrating critical points in the composer''s life with the burgeoning Romantic and Nationalist movements in Germany that Weber''s music came to champion. Morgan brings to l
Trade ReviewThis excellent book will be a very good resource for novice and experienced concertgoers interested in the life, career, and works of German composer Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826). Morgan, a Weber expert, intermingles biography and analyses of compositions, giving the works plenty of historical background and showing how they relate to Weber’s personal development. Morgan also does a good job of explaining the librettos to Weber’s operas. Though the book is accessible to the music novice, there is plenty here that will prove enlightening to listeners who already have a good background in music history. Readers will find the glossary of musical terms to be especially useful, and the list of recommended recordings will help steer audio enthusiasts to the better recordings of Weber’s oeuvre. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers. * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter One: A Child Born into a Changing World: The Juvenalia Chapter Two: Romantic Wanderings in Napoleon’s Europe: The First Adult Works Chapter Three: Communion with Friends: The Concertos and Abu Hassan Chapter Four: The Patriot Emerges: Patriotic Songs, the Song Cycle, The Concertino, The Concertante, and the Cantata Chapter Five: Toward the German Opera: The Masses and Great Instrumental Works Chapter Six: The Dark Huntsman and the Libretto: Der Freischütz Chapter Seven: Fame and Infirmity: Euryanthe, Concertstück in f minor. Chapter Eight: The Last Commission: Oberon Chapter Nine: Death and Memory: The Fantastic Three Overtures
