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Donald Macleod explores Carl Maria von Weber’s city lives and those dramas and scandals survived throughout.

Weber’s relationship with European cities mirrored his life and work, from the restless wandering of his earlier years, to the way his life changed after the success of his opera Der Freischütz. And in his final months he travelled to London to compose and produce another major opera, Oberon, but would die after giving its first performances.

The young Weber had an unerring ability to cause offence. He got involved in multiple love affairs that caused him problems. He was also very good at racking up debts. These traits unfold as we follow Weber’s picaresque journeys around Europe, flitting from city to city: sometimes chasing opportunities, sometimes in disgrace, at other times escorted away under armed guard.

Music Featured:

Grande polonaise in E-Flat major, Op 21, J. 59
Der Beherrscher der Geister (Ruler of Spirits), J. 122
Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat major, Op 34, J. 182 (1st mvt)
Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op 19, J. 50 (1st and 2nd mvt)
Das Hifthorn schallt, ‘Huntsmen's Chorus’ (Silvana, Act 1)
Momento capriccioso, Op 12, J.56
Piano Concerto No 1 in C major, Op 11, J. 98
Clarinet Concertino in C minor / E-Flat major, Op 26, J. 109
Abu Hassan, J. 106 (Overture)
Piano Concerto No 2 in E-Flat major, Op 32, J. 155 (2nd and 3rd mvt)
9 Variations on a Russian Theme, "Schöne Minka", Op 40, J. 179
Missa sancta No 1, Op 75, J. 224 (Kyrie and Gloria)
Aufforderung zum Tanze, Op 65, J. 260
Der Freischütz, J. 277 (Act 3: Finale)
Oberon, J. 306 (Overture)
O Araby dear (Oberon, J. 306, Act 3)
Piano Sonata No 4 in E minor, Op 70, J. 287 (3rd mvt)

Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Iain Chambers

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) /programmes/m001cckh

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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