This Fantasy is one of five grandes fantaisies on famous late 19th century operas. The Freischutz fantasy may well be Taffanel’s most accomplished piece. Based on what is considered the first great Romantic opera (Der Freischutz was composed by Carl Maria von Weber [1786-1826] between 1817 and 1821), its musical richness imbues the piece with an epic spirit. Far from being a mere catalog of operatic themes and variations, the fantasy builds on three arias: Agathe’s “leise, leise fromme Weise” (Act II); Max’s aria with cello solo (Act III, Finale) and Annchen’s arriette: “Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen” (Act II).
