From Birmingham
The Birmingham Studio Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Lewis

Peter Schmoll and his Neighbours was one of the works written in intervals between the restless wanderings of the Webers, father and son, during the latter's early 'teens. Weber was only fifteen (1801) when he wrote the Opera, in Salzburg, one of their places of call. It was produced a year or two later, but without success.
The Overture, after a manner common in those days, opens with a slow, dignified Introduction, after which, prances in the dapper First Main Tune, that alternates for a little with a martial. sounding passage of chords. The Second Main Tune's coming is very clearly announced (also after the fashion of the time) by a flourish, and. after a pause it enters-a smooth melody with a Weberian 'turn' on its first note (an ornament of four notes - a sort of graceful curl around the principal note).
After those ideas have been discussed for a little. we have suddenly some bars of slow music, which, however, only interrupt the gaiety for a few moments. The original speed is resumed and the. Overture worked up to an exciting conclusion.