Weber, C.M. Von: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 / Bassoon Concerto / Andante E Rondo Ungarese
1/28/2010, 13 Tracks, 1:07:43
Featuring
Jean-Jacques Kantorow
Jaakko Luoma
Tapiola Sinfonietta
Carl Maria von Weber
Did you know?
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Composition History
Weber composed his two symphonies, the only ones he wrote, while serving as 'musical intendant' at the court of Count Eugen Friedrich of Württemberg-Öls, a fine oboist.
Composition History
The Bassoon Concerto in F major was written by Weber for Georg Friedrich Brandt, a member of the Munich Court Orchestra, after the success of Weber's clarinet concertos.
Compositional Technique
Weber's Bassoon Concerto and Andante e Rondo Ungarese showcase the bassoon's agility, wide register jumps, and unique sound, often making the solo instrument sound like an opera character.
Instruments
The orchestra at Count Eugen Friedrich of Württemberg-Öls's court, for which Weber composed his symphonies, notably lacked a clarinet, which was Weber's favorite instrument.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Weber's two symphonies show a transition from classicism to romanticism, particularly in orchestral color, and were considered by the composer as 'student works' leading to his dramatic operas.
Composer Biography
Carl Maria von Weber, the composer, accidentally drank a nitric acid solution prepared by his father for engraving work, leading to a long period of convalescence.
Performer Biography
Jaakko Luoma, the bassoonist on this recording, is the principal bassoonist of the Tapiola Sinfonietta and has won the Crusell Prize and a third prize at the international ARD competition.
