Battles with the King of Wurttemberg
Donald Macleod focuses on the period when Weber acted as private secretary to Duke Ludwig of Wurttemberg, which saw the composer arrested twice.
He became an international celebrity through his success in the world of German opera, and his explorations into novel instrumental timbres greatly enriched orchestral music, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Carl Maria von Weber.
Weber had been appointed to the post of Director of Music at the Ducal Court in Breslau. He didn't remain in the position for long or indeed have much time for composition, but he did make a start on an opera. Later on Weber reworked some of this music into a concert overture, Der Beherrscher der Geister, The Ruler of the Spirits.
Weber eventually made his way to Stuttgart, via a period in Carlsruhe, to become the private secretary to Duke Ludwig of W眉rttemberg. His duties included writing begging letters to the Duke's brother, the King of W眉rttemberg, for financial support. The King didn't like Weber, and the composer found himself thrown into prison at one point. During his time in captivity he composed the song, Klage: Ein steter Kampf ist unser Leben.
Things came to a head in 1810, when Weber and his father were escorted to a frontier post at the boundaries of the W眉rttemberg domains, and ordered never to return. Weber now travelled to Mannheim, and then on to Darmstadt, looking for work. It was during this period that he composed his exotic opera, Abu Hassan.
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Music Played
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Carl Maria von Weber
The Ruler of the spirits - overture Op.27
Conductor: Antoni Wit. Orchestra: New Zealand S O.- NAXOS : 8.-570296.
- NAXOS.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Klage (Ein steter Kampf) J.63, Op.15`2 for voice and piano
Performer: Leonard Hokanson. Singer: Hermann Prey.- EMI 9184932.
- EMI.
- 15.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Silvana - opera in 3 acts J.87 - Act 2;
Orchestra: Hagen Philharmonic Orchestra. Choir: Hagen Theatre Chorus. Singer: Stefan Adam. Conductor: Gerhard Markson.- MARCO POLO : 8.-223844-45.
- MARCO POLO.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Abu Hassan - singspiel in 1 act J.106
Orchestra: Cappella Coloniensis. Conductor: Bruno Weil.- DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI : 05472-77979-2.
- DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI.
- 22.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Concerto no. 1 in F minor Op.73 for clarinet and orchestra
Performer: Sharon Kam. Conductor: Kurt Masur. Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig.- TELDEC : 0630-15428-2.
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Broadcasts
- Tue 17 Mar 2015 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Tue 17 Mar 2015 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
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