The force of Coriolan

The chosen excerpt covers the start of the overture: the chords after the held notes are in both cases played with great force; then we have a dynamic development of the chords which leads to the return of the rhythmic element from the start.

The women’s prayer

This excerpt, which follows the exposition of Coriolan’s theme, presents the women’s prayer in a key of E flat major, creating a calmer and sweeter atmosphere.

Coriolan’s force is expressed again

This development after the women’s prayer marks the return of Coriolan’s theme but without its will to dominate: Listen to the dynamics, the rhythm and the characteristic return of the strings.

Hesitation, between Coriolan and the women

This excerpt is quite special as it mixes the two themes: Coriolan's theme, with the chords again; at the very end, the women's theme, softer, bringing a change in tone from C minor to E flat major.

Two examples of transitions

The interest of the short excerpt chosen lies in the manner in which Furtwängler moves from one theme to another: the break between the themes leaves one feeling quite differently depending on which version one is listening to.

The tormented hero

This passage is a key moment of the Overture: Coriolan is face to face with himself, torn between his hunger for power and the lure of women. An extraordinary melodic and rhythmic development follows.

The climax, everything is at stake

This excerpt is the crucial moment of the work, everything is at stake. Musically, this results in a magical and magnificent plethora of themes, rhythms, colours and dynamics, which create one of the most extraordinary moments in the history of music.

Suicide of the hero, the end of the work

The end of the overture is of the most dramatic quality: The hero dies as the sound of the orchestra fades away.