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Donald Macleod focuses on Weber's battle with tuberculosis and the birth of the composer's son Max.

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 increasingly worried about his health, as he battled with tuberculosis. He was heartened by the birth of his son, Max, who survived infancy and would go on to become his father's first biographer. Not long after this new arrival to the Weber family, Carl Maria von Weber started work on a new opera, Euryanthe. Despite his illness, Weber was working at lightning speed, not only on Euryanthe, but also a fourth piano sonata, and revising his Bassoon Concerto.

Weber knew his time was now limited, but he was determined not leave his family in financial difficulty. He took a commission to compose a new opera for Covent Garden, Oberon, and journeyed to London for its premiere. He wrote many letters home to his wife Caroline about how much he enjoyed life in London, but his health now started to fail, and he died not long after Oberon's success in the capital.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 20 Mar 2015 18:30

Music Played

  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Euryanthe - Opera In 3 Acts J.291 - Overture

    Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra. Conductor: Eugene Ormandy.
    • SONY : SBK-63053.
    • SONY.
    • 6.
  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Concerto In F Major Op.75 For Bassoon And Orchestra

    Performer: Jaakko Luoma. Orchestra: Tapiola Sinfonietta. Conductor: Jean鈥怞acques Kantorow.
    • BIS: SACD1620.
    • BIS.
    • 7.
  • Carl Maria von Weber

    John Anderson, My Jo' For Tenor, Flute, Violin, Cello And Piano

    Performer: Utako Ikeda. Performer: Christopher Field. Singer: Christine Cairns.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-8636.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 19.
  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Contented Wi' Little, And Canty Wi' Mair - Song J.300a For Voice, Flute, Violin

    Performer: Utako Ikeda. Performer: Christopher Field. Singer: Alan Watt.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-8636.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 21.
  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Oberon - Opera In 3 Acts J.306 Finale from Act I

    Orchestra: German Opera Berlin Orchestra. Singer: Vesselina Kasarova. Singer: Inga Nielsen. Conductor: Marek Janowski. Orchestra: German S O Berlin. Singer: Peter Seiffert.
    • RCA : 0902668505-2.
    • RCA.
    • 10.
  • Carl Maria von Weber

    Oberon - Opera In 3 Acts J.306 Finale from Act III

    Orchestra: German Opera Berlin Orchestra. Singer: Vesselina Kasarova. Singer: Inga Nielsen. Conductor: Marek Janowski. Orchestra: German S O Berlin. Singer: Peter Seiffert.
    • RCA : 0902668505-2.
    • RCA.
    • 31.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Mar 2015 12:00
  • Fri 20 Mar 2015 18:30

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