Tomorrow marks the birthday anniversary of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), widely regarded as Germany’s greatest literary figure. Goethe’s significance in German culture cannot be overestimated.
His novel, “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” virtually initiated the Romantic movement, with its protagonist’s relentless subjectivity and precipitous despair instigating a cult of suicide. His bildungsroman, “Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship,” was praised as one of the greatest novels ever written. And the influence and perpetual reinvention of his dramatic poem “Faust” would appear to be inexhaustible.
Goethe captivated the imagination of virtually every major German-language composer of the 19th century. We’ll honor him with a full program inspired by his works, including lieder, symphonic poems, symphonies, operas and oratorios.
So much Romanticism is a presentiment of fall and chill nights passed gazing up at the moon through withered leaves in a Caspar David Friedrich tricorn.
Join me tomorrow morning at 6 ET for five hours of music inspired by the writings of Goethe, on WPRB 103.3 FM or at wprb.com. You don’t have to sell your soul to experience great music on Classic Ross Amico.
