大象传媒

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 was born into a musical family, and both music and theatre featured significantly in his early life. It is not surprising that Weber's greatest successes were in the opera house, although his output in other areas such as orchestral, chamber and choral music, were all highly esteemed. In fact, Weber's music would go on to influence a great many younger composers, including Mendelssohn, Wagner and Liszt. Despite these accolades, financial security evaded Weber as he moved from job to job, working for various aristocrats and royals. Towards the end of his life he received a commission to travel to London and compose an opera for Covent Garden. He was already seriously ill but Weber made the trip and composed Oberon, hoping it would generate enough income to support his family. He died in London, failing to return home to make his farewells.

Weber lived much of his early life on the road with his family, in the Weber Theatre Company. His early attempts at musical composition, from the age of twelve, found their way into more mature works, including his opera, Peter Schmoll, and a setting of the mass. His father Anton was so pleased with these early attempts, that he had them published.

Weber's father often had itchy feet, and he took his family from city to city looking for better prospects. In this way we find Weber in Salzburg studying with Michael Haydn, and later in Vienna learning from the eccentric and colourful character of Abb茅 Georg Josef Vogler. Weber would write a set of variations for solo piano, on Vogler's ballet C脿store e Poll霉ce.

By the age of 17, Weber was recommended by Vogler to the post of Director of Music to the Ducal Court in Breslau. The appointment of someone so young didn't go down well with members of the orchestra, especially as Weber wanted to instigate changes. Weber soon moved on, and found employment in Carlsruhe, working for Duke Eugen of W眉rttemberg, to whom he dedicated his Second Symphony.