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Fantasiestücke in Callots Manier #3
Kreisleriana
This book contains the first complete translation in English of E. T. A. Hoffmann's major musical writings, complementing the well-known Tales. It offers, therefore, a long-awaited opportunity to assess the thought and influence of one of the most famous of all writers on music and the musical links with his fiction. Containing the first complete appearance in English of Kreisleriana, it reveals a masterpiece of imaginative writing whose title is familiar to musicians (from Robert Schumann's piano cycle) and whose profound humour and irony can now be fully appreciated. This volume offers translations aiming at the greatest fidelity to Hoffmann, as well as musical accuracy in the reviews. David Charlton's three introductory essays provide extensive information on the background to Romantic music criticism; on the origins and internal structure of Kreisleriana; and on Hoffmann and opera. A concluding essay by the late Friedrich Schnapp lists Hoffmann's planned reviews and those mistakenly attributed to him.
155 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1815
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About the author
E.T.A. Hoffmann
2,173 books878 followersErnst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann, better known by his pen name E. T. A. Hoffmann (Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann), was a German Romantic author of fantasy and horror, a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist. His stories form the basis of Jacques Offenbach's famous opera The Tales of Hoffmann, in which Hoffman appears (heavily fictionalized) as the hero. He is also the author of the novella The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, on which the famous ballet The Nutcracker is based. The ballet Coppélia is based on two other stories that Hoffmann wrote, while Schumann's Kreisleriana is based on Hoffmann's character Johannes Kreisler.
Hoffmann's stories were very influential during the 19th century, and he is one of the major authors of the Romantic movement.
Hoffmann's stories were very influential during the 19th century, and he is one of the major authors of the Romantic movement.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 16, 2024
Kreisleriana is the name given to a cycle of short text fragments created by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The texts were published first in a german musical newspaper between 1810 and 1814 and can be found in Fantasiestücke in Callot's Manier as well.
After Kapellmeister Johannes Kreisler's mysterious disappearance, the people he left behind discover a collection of short letters and stories in one of his drawers. At first, the text passages seem random and unrelated to each other, but they tell the story of an artist slowly descending into madness... Between Kreisler's own notes the reader can find among other things a letter written by an ape, fragments of a play and tips given to musicians and technicians of a dubious nature.
It's a short, obscure and humorous, yet tragic read, a satire on contemporary art, burgeouis culture and how it shapes and reflects on the artists themselves. While music is the main topic, other forms of art will be mentioned, and Hoffmann (or Kreisler) extensively displays his expertise on music which could make the texts difficult for readers without any background knowledge. The language is characteristic for Hoffmann's work, using (from today's standard) antiquated, yet elaborate expressions, while keeping an humourous undertone. The work inspired Robert Schuman to create his composition by the same name. Kreisler made further appearances in Lebens-Ansichten des Katers Murr and Der goldne Topf.
Recommended for people who enjoyed other works by Hoffmann and/or have an interest in music.
After Kapellmeister Johannes Kreisler's mysterious disappearance, the people he left behind discover a collection of short letters and stories in one of his drawers. At first, the text passages seem random and unrelated to each other, but they tell the story of an artist slowly descending into madness... Between Kreisler's own notes the reader can find among other things a letter written by an ape, fragments of a play and tips given to musicians and technicians of a dubious nature.
It's a short, obscure and humorous, yet tragic read, a satire on contemporary art, burgeouis culture and how it shapes and reflects on the artists themselves. While music is the main topic, other forms of art will be mentioned, and Hoffmann (or Kreisler) extensively displays his expertise on music which could make the texts difficult for readers without any background knowledge. The language is characteristic for Hoffmann's work, using (from today's standard) antiquated, yet elaborate expressions, while keeping an humourous undertone. The work inspired Robert Schuman to create his composition by the same name. Kreisler made further appearances in Lebens-Ansichten des Katers Murr and Der goldne Topf.
Recommended for people who enjoyed other works by Hoffmann and/or have an interest in music.
June 3, 2022
To anyone looking for an English translation: good luck.
I read this to understand the musical philosophy of Robert Schumann better, as he is my favorite composer and this book was very influential in his ideas about music. Additionally, my favorite piece of music is named after it. With these in mind I decided to read it at any (high) cost, expecting something as introspective, thoughtful, and powerful as its namesake.
Imagine my surprise to find in it a comparison of the new generation of piano virtuosos to monkeys, a prediction of the goofy sound effects of the modern keyboard, and an entire chapter devoted to politely and impolitely berating stage effects, those who create them, and those who enjoy them. Far from the introspective man meandering through modernity, this is a thoroughly reactionary, occasionally German supremacist criticism of everything modern in Hoffman's musical world. Not that I disagree with all of his points, but it was still surprising, and the buyer should know what they're getting into with this book.
With the addition of other musical writings of the day this helps very much to gain perspective of the musical zeitgeist of early Romantic Germany, but I still can't believe I spent $80 on it.
I read this to understand the musical philosophy of Robert Schumann better, as he is my favorite composer and this book was very influential in his ideas about music. Additionally, my favorite piece of music is named after it. With these in mind I decided to read it at any (high) cost, expecting something as introspective, thoughtful, and powerful as its namesake.
Imagine my surprise to find in it a comparison of the new generation of piano virtuosos to monkeys, a prediction of the goofy sound effects of the modern keyboard, and an entire chapter devoted to politely and impolitely berating stage effects, those who create them, and those who enjoy them. Far from the introspective man meandering through modernity, this is a thoroughly reactionary, occasionally German supremacist criticism of everything modern in Hoffman's musical world. Not that I disagree with all of his points, but it was still surprising, and the buyer should know what they're getting into with this book.
With the addition of other musical writings of the day this helps very much to gain perspective of the musical zeitgeist of early Romantic Germany, but I still can't believe I spent $80 on it.
October 14, 2023
Manche Bücher braucht man nicht. Ich liebe den "Sandmann" von ETA Hoffman und auch "Elixiere des Teufels" fand ich trotz seiner ausufernden Art zu erzählen gut, aber aber "Kreisleriana" hat mich einfach nicht abgeholt.
April 3, 2023
This page links to a German language edition, not the first complete English translation. I do not think a complete English edition exists. This listing needs to be updated or removed.
November 7, 2011
Überwiegend sehr unterhaltsam, aber aus manchen Essays bin ich nicht schlau geworden und bei anderen fehlte mir das musikalische Hintergrundwissen. Zu Beginn habe ich eine Weile gebraucht um zu merken, dass sehr viel ironisch gemeint ist – einem zeitgenössischen Leser wäre das wohl sooft klar gewesen. Meine Lieblingsabschnitte waren der Brief des gebildeten Affen an seine Geliebte und der Bericht des Hauslehrers über die musikalischen Darbietungen im Hause seines Dienstherrn.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews