Faust-Ouverture op. 46 for orchestra (score)

The Faust Overture is undoubtedly one of E. Mayers most successful compositions and earned her a place in concert programmes alongside the works of her contemporary colleagues.

She dedicated the work to Fürstin Maria Mestchersky (“Ihrer Durchlaucht der Fürstin Maria Mestchersky ehrfurchtsvoll zugeeignet”)

The Faust Overture op. 46 is a late work by Emilie Mayer. It first appeared in print in 1880 (Paul Witte, Berlin) and was probably composed in the late 1870s. Numerous performances
in the years 1880 to 1882 and the reviews in the press show the composer‘s great recognition. The Faust Overture is undoubtedly one of her most successful compositions and earned her a place in concert programmes alongside the works of her contemporary colleagues. Deviating from the usual instrumentation in Mayer‘s other overtures, two tenor trombones and a bass trombone as well as the bass tuba are used here. The resulting darker timbre of the wind instruments corresponds to the programmatic character of the work. It is particularly effective in a 12-bar
wind chorale, which is accompanied only by the double basses when first heard. Taken up again, it leads to the dramaturgical climax, intensely supported by all instruments. A reference to the programmatic model is found only towards the end (study letter N). Here it is noted: „She [meaning Gretchen] is saved“.