Beethoven Encourages Weber’s Opera Der Freischutz

and augmented 6th chordsWeber's instrumentation in "Der Freischutz" is revolutionary.

For example, the solo roles given to the four horn players at the opening of the Overture were the first of their kind. He combined muted and open strings, and used a large number of brass instruments and a chorus. Clarinets have an unusually important position in playing the main theme - something which was very rare at the time. The horn sound is repeatedly used to provide tonal colour when the scenes of hunting in the forest are taking place.

The instrumental range, from a bold fanfare to the sinister blare in the Wolf's Glen further advocate the horn's new-found presence. Tremolando strings and the low registers, particularly in the woodwind, portray the dark colour of the demonic power. For example, the use of homophonic texture, frequent unison and contrapuntal passages, chromatic auxiliary notes, dotted rhythms and recurring chord progressions help create the atmosphere of the famous scene in the wolf's glen. There is galloping rhythm, low trombone and clarinet tremolos, shrill woodwinds over horns amidst cries of "Uhui" as the bullets are cast. Additionally, the integration of simple and popular folk melodies brings cohesion to the scene, and to the new style of opera which Weber had been so pivotal in creating.