Carl Maria von Weber, the composer, accidentally swallowed engravers' ink from a wine bottle, which permanently damaged his singing voice and health.
Compositional Technique
Deprived of his favorite clarinet, Weber focused on the oboe in his symphonies, a clever move as the oboe was the Duke's own instrument.
Cultural Impact
Weber's 'Invitation to the Dance' (Aufforderung zum Tanze), originally a piano waltz for his wife, became more associated with ballet thanks to Michel Fokine's 'Le Spectre de la rose' and Hector Berlioz's orchestration.
Composition History
Weber deliberately scaled his two symphonies for the modest forces of Duke Eugen Friedrich Heinrich von Württemberg-Öls's orchestra, which included a flute, pairs of oboes, bassoons, trumpets and horns, plus timpani and strings.
Composition History
Weber composed his two symphonies for Duke Eugen Friedrich Heinrich von Württemberg-Öls, ruler of Carlsruhe, who had welcomed him after a traumatic period in his life.
Composition History
Hector Berlioz orchestrated Weber's 'Invitation to the Dance' for the 1841 Paris Opéra production of 'Der Freischütz' because Parisian audiences insisted on dance in their operas.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded using 24-bit / 96 kHz technology, which offers a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings.
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Weber, C.M. Von: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 / Bassoon Concerto / Andante E Rondo Ungarese
