Goethe's Works (Volume 10) (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1885. Excerpt: ... I therefore hit on the conception of a third intermediary and easily supplied voice, and so years ago there arose the opera, Jest, Gunning and Revenge, which I sent to Kayser in Zurich; but who, as an earnest, conscientious, man, went too seriously to work, treating the piece too elaborately. I had myself transgressed the limits of the interlude, and the unimposing subject developed so many singing pieces, that even with a spare cursory music, three persons could hardly have got to the end of the representation. Kayser however, worked out the airs in full, according to old style, and happily enough, too, in particular parts, it may be asserted, as also not without grace when viewed as a whole. But how and where was this to be represented? Unhappily it suffered, according to former economical principles, from a paucity of voices. It did not go beyond a trio, and at last we should have been only too happy to animate the doctor's treacle pots, in order to gain an orchestra. All our endeavours, therefore, in the way of simplification and limitation went for naught when Mozart stepped on the scene. The Abduction from the Seraglio put everything else in the shade, and as far as concerned the theatre, complete silence settled down on our carefully laboured piece. Our Kayser's presence now raised and developed our love of music, which had hitherto been confined to theatrical exhibitions. He was careful in his attendance at church festivals, and we found ourselves induced to listen with him to the festive music performed on such occasions We found it no doubt already much secularized, and provided with a complete orchestra, though song still ever predominated. I remember hearing for the first time, on a St. Cecilia's day, a bravura with accompanying chorus. Its influence on me was extraordin...