Schumann: Manfred, Op. 115

Description

Audiences should be ready for "something new and unheard of", wrote Robert Schumann to Franz Liszt in late 1851, referring to the world premiere of his "Dramatic Poem" Manfred.

Schumann had already worked on Byron's Manfred as a law student, and the topic fascinated him from that time on. Perhaps he discovered a spiritual affinity to himself in the romantic hero's inner conflict? in any event, he decided on a stage rendition of the drama with incidental music, an entirely new genre that he had been dreaming of for some time already. He conducted the overture – it dates from 1848 – for the first time as a separate piece in March 1852. in addition, he followed the preparations for the first edition of the complete performance material very closely, which was published by Breitkopf in Leipzig that same year. The "Breitkopf Urtext" edition of the Manfred Overture is based on this first print of the score and parts revised by Schumann.