"Faust" Overture in D minor - Richard Wagner

Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Alexander Rahbari

I - Sehr gehalten - Sehr bewegt - Sehr allmählich das tempo etwas zurückhalten - Ritenuto: 0:00

Wagner's "Faust Overture" was composed between 1839-40, but was completely reworked between 1843-4. It was premiered in Dresden on July 22 of 1844. In 1855, after listening Liszt's Faust Symphony, Wagner revised the work and published it. The title refers to Goethe's Faust, one of the masterpieces of German and Universal literature. In the work, Faust is a dissatisfied intellectual who yearns for "more than earthly meat and drink" in his life, for which he sells his soul to the devil in order to obtain power and knowledge.

In November 1839, Wagner had attended the premiere of Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet Symphony, a hybrid of both a symphony and an opera that narrated the tragic story of the two lovers. Wagner, inspired by the piece, began working a symphony on the subject of Goethe's Faust. He wrote a first movement titled "Faust" and began a second titled "Gretchen", but didn't finish it. Wagner then reworked the existing material into a concert overture, which became his most successful orchestral work.

The piece is structured in sonata form. It opens with a slow introduction in which a key motive is introduced by tube and double basses, followed by a second one on flutes. The main allegro begins with a disjunct, chromatic main theme that rises towards a passionate climax. In a heavy contrast, a gentle and lyrical second theme is presented by flutes, which dulcifies the music. The development begins with a menacing fanfare motive, followed by a transformation of the main theme along with introduction material. It culminates in an intense and wild climax, leading us to the recapitulation section. A slow, luminous coda ends the work on a positive note.

The premiere of Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet Symphony, influenced Wagner's ideas about the development of the symphony. Music alone, without the addition of words, was not sufficient for the expression of feelings. As Beethoven had indicated in his masterpiece the Ninth Symphony, the introduction of the voice was necessary. Wagner tried to compose a dramatic symphony in Berlioz's style, but it's not enough. He needs new means and techniques, and thus abandoned the work. In the end, Wagner's solution is to create a work that unites all the arts. He will not compose more symphonies, the great and only symphony is in the opera.

Picture: A fragment of a cover of Goethe's Faust, by the Irish illustrator Harry Clarke.