Composer

Carl Maria von Weber

1786 — 1826

About

Concerts and Operas

Eddie Daniels & Gary Burton Quartet: A Tribute to Benny Goodman

Munich Klaviersommer

Concert70 Min

Weber: Oberon

Bayerische Staatsoper

Opera171 Min

Anne-Sophie Mutter plays Saint-Saëns & John Williams

Munich Philharmonic

Concert80 Min

Harnoncourt conducts Weber: Der Freischütz

Zurich Opera

Opera158 Min

Karajan conducts Overtures by Beethoven, Rossini, Wagner & Weber

Berliner Philharmoniker

Concert55 Min

Karajan conducts the New Year's Eve Concert 1985

Berliner Philharmoniker

Concert54 Min

Albums

Weber: Complete Piano Sonatas

Garrick Ohlsson

Weber: Oberon (2 CD's)

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Rafael Kubelík

Weber: Chamber Music

The Gaudier Ensemble

Weber: Der Freischütz (2 CD's)

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Eugen Jochum

Weber: Clarinet & Bassoon Concertos

Karl Leister, Milan Turkovic, Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Kammerensemble, Bamberger Symphoniker, Rafael Kubelík, Hanns-Martin Schneidt

Weber: Konzertstück; Overtures: Der Freischütz · Euryanthe · Oberon

Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev

Weber: Piano Trio Op. 63; Piano Quartet Op. 8

Gidon Kremer, Irena Grafenauer, Veronika Hagen, Vadim Sacharow, Clemens Hagen

Weber: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Konzertstück (Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto 10)

Nikolai Demidenko, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras

Appears On

Karajan: Wagner - Wolf-Ferrari

Herbert von Karajan

Wiegenlieder zum Mitsingen (LIEDERPROJEKT)

Christine Busch, Juliane Ruf

Kinderlieder zum Mitsingen (LIEDERPROJEKT)

Various Artists

Fischer-Dieskau Lieder A-Z: Weber – Wolf (Complete Lieder Recordings on DG & Decca, Pt. 1)

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Fischer-Dieskau Lieder A-Z: Weber – Zemlinsky (Complete Lieder Recordings on DG & Decca)

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Abbado A-Z: Schumann – Tchaikovsky

Claudio Abbado

AboutCarl Maria von Weber

As a reform-minded conductor and opera director, but also as a music theorist, Weber's declared goal was to transform opera into a comprehensive work of art that encompassed music, literature, dramaturgy, and staging. In this sense, he was a precursor to Wagner, who greatly admired him – and, at the age of four, appeared as an angel in one of his operas. Weber's progressive nature was also evident in his compositions, in which he rejected familiar Italian opera conventions in favor of a new, exceedingly romantic, and specifically German style; this style, however, de facto consisted of a kind of blend between French opera of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and the popular German Singspiel (in which vocal pieces and spoken dialogues alternate). In his three most famous operas – Der Freischütz, Euryanthe, and Oberon – musical depictions of nature play a significant role, and a supernatural and mystical atmosphere fills the stage. It is therefore not surprising that Weber's operas had a strong influence on the subsequent generation of romantic opera composers, especially Berlioz and Wagner. The expressive instrumental style that characterized his operas, as well as his concert and salon pieces, influenced Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Schumann.

The Fascinating Life and Legacy of Carl Maria von Weber

Carl Maria von Weber was a German composer, conductor, virtuoso pianist, guitarist, and critic, widely recognized as one of the first significant composers of the Romantic era. Born on November 18, 1786, in Eutin, Germany, Weber’s innovative spirit and theatrical flair positioned him as a crucial figure in the development of German Romantic opera (Romantische Oper). His most celebrated works—Der Freischütz (1821), Euryanthe (1823), and Oberon (1826)—are cornerstones of the operatic repertoire and laid the foundation for the dramatic reforms later advanced by Richard Wagner.

Weber’s musical journey was shaped by his father’s itinerant career and rigorous training with notable teachers, including Michael Haydn and the Abbé Vogler. This exposure to the stage and diverse musical traditions ignited his passion for opera and theater. In his relatively short life (he died at age 39 from pulmonary tuberculosis in London in 1826), Weber also composed acclaimed instrumental works, such as his clarinet concertos and the Konzertstück for piano and orchestra.

Development of "Romantische Oper" Through Weber's Score

Weber's contribution to the development of Romantische Oper is significant. His innovative use of orchestration, combined with his dramatic flair, helped to define the genre and lay the groundwork for future composers like Wagner. His operas are a testament to his unique ability to blend musical elements with dramatic storytelling, creating a new form of opera that would come to define the Romantic era.

Notable Works of Weber that Transformed Romantic Music

Weber's most notable works, including Der Freischütz, Euryanthe, and Oberon, transformed the landscape of Romantic music. These operas, with their innovative use of orchestration and dramatic storytelling, are considered cornerstones of the operatic repertoire. They not only defined the Romantische Oper genre but also laid the foundation for the dramatic reforms later advanced by Richard Wagner.

Notable Recordings and Performances

Weber's music continues to be performed and recorded by leading international orchestras and artists. Some notable recordings and performances include "Harnoncourt Conducts Weber: Der Freischütz" by the Zurich Opera, "Karajan Conducts Overtures" (Beethoven, Rossini, Wagner & Weber) by the Berliner Philharmoniker, and "Karajan’s New Year’s Eve Concert 1985" by the Berliner Philharmoniker. These recordings showcase the enduring appeal and influence of Weber's music.