IDAGIO | E.T.A. Hoffmann: Symphony in E-Flat Major, Aurora & Undine Overtures

Featuring

Michael Alexander Willens
Kölner Akademie
Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann
Jeremias Friedrich Witt

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Composer's Artistic Vision

E.T.A. Hoffmann, an ardent admirer of Mozart, changed his third given name 'Wilhelm' to 'Amadeus' and was deeply influenced by Mozart's operas.

Recording & Production

Die Kölner Akademie has a highly praised series called 'Forgotten Treasures', featuring world premiere recordings of works by lesser-known composers.

Composition History

E.T.A. Hoffmann's Symphony in E-flat major was premiered in Warsaw on August 3, 1806, the King of Prussia's birthday, at the inauguration of a refurbished concert hall.

Compositional Technique

E.T.A. Hoffmann's Symphony in E-flat major is meticulously constructed, with its first movement built from just three short motivic phrases and a clarinet solo.

Performer Biography

Michael Alexander Willens, the artistic director of Die Kölner Akademie, studied conducting with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood.

Composer Biography

E.T.A. Hoffmann, a composer and writer, considered his years in Warsaw (1804-1807) to be the happiest of his life, despite his demanding legal work.

Cultural Impact

A C-major symphony by Friedrich Witt, a contemporary of Hoffmann, was mistakenly attributed to a young Beethoven for 50 years and known as the 'Jena Symphony'.