Composer

:

Franz Schreker

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1903

Average_duration

:

12:13

Franz Schreker's 'Ekkehard Overture for orchestra, Op. 12' was composed in 1902-1903 and premiered on January 25, 1903, in Vienna. The overture is a programmatic work based on the novel 'Ekkehard' by Joseph Victor von Scheffel, which tells the story of a monk who falls in love with a woman and ultimately chooses to leave the monastery to be with her. The overture is divided into three movements. The first movement, marked Allegro moderato, begins with a mysterious and brooding introduction that sets the stage for the drama to come. The main theme is introduced by the strings and is characterized by its sweeping, romantic melody. The music builds to a climax before subsiding into a quieter section featuring a solo violin. The movement ends with a return to the main theme, this time played by the full orchestra. The second movement, marked Andante, is a lyrical interlude that features a solo oboe and a solo horn. The music is gentle and pastoral, evoking the natural beauty of the setting in which the story takes place. The final movement, marked Allegro con fuoco, is the most dramatic of the three. It begins with a frenzied section featuring the full orchestra before settling into a more measured pace. The main theme is introduced by the brass and is characterized by its bold, heroic quality. The music builds to a thrilling climax before subsiding into a quiet coda. Overall, the 'Ekkehard Overture' is a lush and romantic work that showcases Schreker's skill as an orchestrator. The music is full of drama and emotion, perfectly capturing the story of the novel on which it is based.

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