Freudiana (froid'i-ana) n. 1. The generic term
encompassing the archaeological relics, books and
objets d'art collected by SIGMUND FREUD (1856-1939).
Contemplation of these items is known to have inspired
many of his ideas. 2. The term may be broadly used to
include any facet of his life, his works and their
derivatives.
FREUDIANA is the brain child of songwriter and
musician
Eric Woolfson
who hit upon the idea of
researching the life and works of Sigmund Freud with
a view to their musical potential. Fully aware that
doing justice to genius of such magnitude would
involve the highest degree of commitment and
application, he set out to retrace Freud's footsteps
and explore his realms in what turned out to be a
voyage of self-discovery. What resulted was not the
story of Freud but rather an image of the composer
seen through a Freudian mirror.
Fortunately there was much biographic information
available to add clarity to the aura of mystique
surrounding this extraordinary man. Freud's homes
in London and Vienna, now museums, were truly in-
spirational. Literary source included Freud's
classic cases whose real identities he concealed by
use of names such as Wolfman, Ratman, Dora, Little
Hans and Schreber, the Judge. In addition, Freud's
writings on his discovery of the 'unconscious', his
well known theories such as the 'Odeipus Complex',
the 'Ego' and the 'Id' and his great masterpiece,
'The Interpretation of Dreams' all served as spring-
boards for musical ideas. Also enlightening were
Freud's own influences such as the French hypnotist
Mâitre Jean-Martin Charcot and Freud's group of
followers in Vienna who became known as the 'The
Wednesday Club'.
After the initial research and development of the songs,
Eric
went into the studio with his long time 'project'
partner
Alan Parsons
and for three years they worked
on this recording with the help of literally hundreds
of musicians and vocalists.
About halfway through the recording process, the
material was revealed to theatrical producer
Brian Brolly
who was associated with many landmark musicals
such as 'Cats' and 'Phantom of the Opera'. With
Brian's
encouragement and help, they developed the
concept still further into a musical and the first
stage production of 'FREUDIANA' has its world
premiere in December 1990 in Vienna at the
historic 'Theater an der Wien'.
Although both this recording and the
stage musical
emanate from the same source and share the same
musical compositions, they are quite distinct and
different in both style and approach.
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