Some popular Weber works
Invitation to the Dance
This was orginally written for the piano but has been orchestrated by Berlioz. It is an infectious waltz that really
makes you get up and dance! Weber's most famous work!
Konzerstucke (Concert-piece)
Weber was really amongst the first to write in this genre-a self-contained concertante piece. It is also likely the first
piece of programme music, for it tells of the (cliched) story of a maiden who waits anxiously for the return of her knight
(in shining armour!) from war. Of course, all ends well and the gleaming knight appears finally!! What follows is heavenly
bliss, joyful rapture, unending delight...(pls fill in the adjectives yourself)...
Opera Overtures
I'm not saying that the focus is on the overtures instead of the operas themselves but the popularity of these overtures
make them frequently performed on the concert platform. Here are some good ones...
Oberon: This has a magical horn call opening that is still quite a novelty today. The atmospheric opening (suggestive
of the fairy-world) gives way to a work of great buoyancy and energy.
Euryanthe:This is one of my favourites, the lyrical second subject reappears in the finale but this time played with
great magnificence and triumph.
Der Freichutz:The overture from Weber's most-frequently-performed-today opera (is this an ok sentence?) has
a famous horn episode at the beginning.
