 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moose6589
Date: 2003-09-09 13:48
A few certain reputable clarinetists in my area(who shall remain unnamed) have given me their thoughts about Weber. They all seem not to like Weber, and I understand that everyone has their own taste. I personally see nothing wrong with his music; it's quite enjoyable, in fact. However, one of these unnamed persons went on to say that Weber was a second-rate composer! Isn't this going a bit far? Is there any logical justification for such a statement?
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-09-09 14:06
People often hate playing Weber because it's quite difficult to make his music come across musical and interesting. And you know how you never enjoy something you're not good at. His concerti etc. are quite technical, and it takes a great player to get past this and play it as *music*.
No offence to these 'reputable' clarinetists who shall remain nameless, but they probably lack the ability to add music and enjoyment to Weber. They may even view themselves as 'above' playing something as simple as Weber. Beward superiority and snobbery in the professional world, even the most 'reputable' players whom I've met are actually complete wankers.
But, as someone once said, "To be successful, all you need is ignorance and condifence".
Also, look at how much Weber uses tonic/dominant relationships as well as how similar his works are, both rhythmically and harmonically especially. Notice he uses many devices across many different works that are similar or function similarly. This may be why they are saying he is a second-rate composer.
That said, I'd love to find someone who could compose as good as he.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-09 14:51
During his lifetime, Weber wrote 9 operas, 2 symphonies, 3 masses, 2 piano concerti, major works for clarinet, bassoon and horn, chamber music, piano sonatas, songs and dozens of lesser known works.
When he had a few moments he also conducted, directed and produced operas, and even worked as a music critic.
He was primarily responsible for the rise of German opera in the early 19th century. His influence was later felt by composers as diverse as Berlioz and Wagner.
Oh, I almost forgot... he died before reaching his 40th birthday....GBK
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Author: Michael
Date: 2003-09-09 16:17
Very quickly, the famous Weber excerpt (or 2) asked for orchestral auditions is what? I believe that it/they are an overture of some sort, but the name(s) escape me right now............
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-09-09 16:17
One of the main problems with Weber's concertos is the fact they are so scale like and apreppiatted. Thematically in places they someone lack too. Only in a magnificent performance do they come off really well...unlike Mozart who even when badly played is still melodically gifted and musically interesting....
David L. Dow
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-09 16:59
Michael asked:
> Very quickly, the famous Weber excerpt (or 2) asked for orchestral auditions is what? I >believe that it/they are an overture of some sort, but the name(s) escape me right >now............
Der Freischütz Overture ...GBK
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Author: Michael
Date: 2003-09-09 17:09
Thansk GBK! I personally have never performed this piece, however it is a wonderful solo that I believe was orignially taken from one of his operas is it not (which one I do not know....)?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-09-09 19:18
Michael -
Der Freischütz *is* an opera by Weber. The big solo in the overture is technically quite easy, but it calls for tremendous volume and projection. When I played it, I had to work hard to be heard. It also needs a quality of grace and sweetness, which is hard to do at the top of your lungs.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-09-09 21:00
GBK had no need for his magic decoder ring on that one....hehe.
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Author: KENOLD
Date: 2003-09-10 00:04
D Dow: -- apreppiatted -- typo or word? cant find a definition
Thanks, Ken
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-09-10 01:52
Weber's music is quite interesting, harmonically he wasn't particularly adventurous - unlike Spohr for example, but he understood instrumental writting as well as Mozart.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-09-10 07:30
i wouldn't say webber is a second rate composer, but i presonally don't like his music that much. it's a matter of taste really, like any music.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-09-10 19:08
Arpeggiation is what I meant....having too much beer and living around the barbeque this summer
David Dow
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-09-10 19:16
I will agree that to an extent Weber's music lacks depth when compared to some composers , but I wouldn't call him "second rate". I can see how someone might consider the Concertos a little thematically shallow at times (although I like them still), but I personally wouldn't call the Grand Duo Concertante anything but FIRST rate (this may be, in part, due to the highly idiomatic writing, and not the thematical materical, though). The Quintet is also very good, and doesn't get as much attention as the Concertos.
As some have said, I think it's mostly a matter of personal taste. I like Weber a lot, but I wouldn't place him among the highest of expressive composers.
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-10 19:34
As I wrote earlier, Weber composed so much more than just the clarinet works that are in the repertoire.
I would strongly suggest that you listen to his other works, and not base your opinion strictly on 4 relatively similar clarinet pieces.
Being educated is being informed ...GBK
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-09-11 01:46
I tend to enjoy the operas and symphonies more than the clarinet works...however, the Quintet is my fav of the clarinet stuff. Oberon is a really nice overture....I have the opera with Klemperer here somewhere and its pretty great stuff.
David Dow
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2003-09-11 04:38
To answer the question...There is NOTHING wrong with Weber.
The interplay between piano and clar. in the Grande duo concertante bespeaks a first rate composer.
The problem is.....We as clarinetists might be a bit jaded by the works, just plain snooty, or just want to add something significant to the repertoire when it comes time for recitals. Fact is...the public loves Weber...it is easy to take and to understand. Not everyone is ready for the Brahms sonatas or Debussy, let alone Hindemith.
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2003-09-12 23:07
The main reason why Weber may be considered a "second rate" composer is the infrequency of his works' appearances on orchestra programs (sorry, that's awkward but you know what I mean). Composers tend to be judged by the prominence of their orchestral works. Weber, with the exception of the Der Freischutz Overture rarely shows up (honestly- how often do you see the Big Five play one of the concertos?). There are many first rate composers who aren't popular in concert halls- take, say, Purcell. Though popularity and quality are by no means synonymous, some people treat them as if they are.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-09-14 16:14
I also think that Weber is ruined for clarinet players due to the amount of time one spends performing his works and practicing the difficult parts over and over and over and over.....
David Dow
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