Weber, Freischutz Overture

Many musicians in the early 19^th century were distinguished in a number of fields: Muzio Clementi was a virtuoso, a composer and a piano maker (an example of which is on display in the Academy’s museum); E. T. A. Hoffmann is better known nowadays as the writer who inspired Schumann’s Kreisleriana, but as a composer his Opera Undine was highly acclaimed; and Weber influenced the likes of Liszt and Wagner through his conducting, his musical compositions and his literary publications.

Partly out of a need to generate more income, Weber frequently published reviews and programme notes during his tenure as director of Dresden’s German Opera Company (1817-1826). These were articles designed for the concert-going middle-class, in aim of pulling them away from the Italian operas that (in his view) had degraded into a mere sensuous delight with little substance. For Weber, music stood for unity and character, and Der Freischütz is the embodiment of these values.

Weber had a remarkable control over the character and atmosphere of the music. In the opening section of the overture, he laid out very clearly the opposing forces of good and evil. The portrayal of the black huntsman’s ominous presence is particularly vivid, with the strings trembling uncontrollably and the double basses plucking at your heart. This characterization of evil comes back in the overture (and the opera), but let us focus on what happens next: the exposition of the 1^st theme. Although this is also in C minor, the feeling is quite different from the dreadful aura of the huntsman. There is an air of fate and inevitability, and the music depicts the tragic downfall of the protagonist (Max). Unbeknown to Max though, is the work of the hermit who will eventually save him, and the 2^nd theme represents gratitude to God for Max’s redemption. These four elements (good, evil, damnation and salvation) represent the essence of the opera and perhaps the consistency in how Weber portrayed these elements throughout the opera is what he meant by unity.

September 2012