Slighted at Court
Donald Macleod focuses on Weber's time at the royal court in Dresden, where the composer frequently found himself out of favour on account of his German nationality.
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 Royal Kapellmeister to the royal court in Dresden where he was required to compose music for special occasions, such as a cantata to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the King's accession, and his Mass No 2 for the celebrations to mark the King's golden wedding. However, the composer frequently found himself out of favour on account of his German nationality. The King and his court had a preference for Italian music, and Weber often found himself at loggerheads with officialdom.
Weber married the singer Caroline Brandt and, in 1818, she gave birth to their first child, Marie, who died just three months later. Weber sank into a depression, and also began to show signs of tuberculosis. He was buoyed by the success of his incidental music for Preciosa, and he soon turned his attention to a new comic operatic idea, Die drei Pintos.
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Music Played
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Carl Maria von Weber
Das Veilchen Im Tale J.217, Op.66`1 For Voice And Piano
Performer: Hartmut H枚ll. Singer: Dietrich Fischer鈥怐ieskau.- CLAVES : CD 50911-8.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Jubel-Ouverture Op.59
Orchestra: Tapiola Sinfonietta. Conductor: Jean鈥怞acques Kantorow.- BIS SACD 1760.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Die Drei Pintos - Opera In 3 Acts J.Anh.5, Compl. Mahler
Singer: Heinz Kruse. Orchestra: Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Singer: Kari Lovaas. Singer: Lucia Popp. Conductor: Gaari Bertini.- BMG: 74321 322462.
- BMG.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Konzertstuck In F Minor Op.79 For Piano And Orchestra
Conductor: Mikhail Pletnev. Orchestra: Russian National Orchestra.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 453-486 2.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
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Carl Maria von Weber
Missa Sancta No. 2 In G Major J.251, Op.76 (Jubelmesse) For Soli, Chorus & Orch
Ensemble: Werner Keltsch Instrumental Ensemble. Singer: Siegmund Nimnus. Singer: Helen Watts. Singer: Elisabeth Speiser. Conductor: Gerhard Wilhelm. Choir: Stuttgart Hymnus Choir.- EMI: CDC7476792.
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- Thu 19 Mar 2015 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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