Composer

:

Hector Berlioz

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

Apr 1830

Average_duration

:

51:55

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Symphonie fantastique for orchestra, H.48, Op. 14 is a programmatic symphony composed by Hector Berlioz in 1830. It premiered on December 5, 1830, at the Paris Conservatoire. The symphony consists of five movements, each depicting a different scene from the composer's vivid imagination. The first movement, titled "Reveries - Passions," begins with a slow and dreamy introduction, which gradually builds up to a passionate climax. The second movement, "A Ball," is a lively and energetic dance, with a waltz-like rhythm. The third movement, "Scene in the Fields," is a pastoral interlude, depicting a peaceful countryside scene. The fourth movement, "March to the Scaffold," is a dramatic and intense depiction of the protagonist's execution. The final movement, "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath," is a wild and grotesque depiction of a witches' gathering, with eerie and dissonant harmonies. The symphony is known for its innovative orchestration, with Berlioz using a large orchestra and unconventional instruments such as the ophicleide and the English horn. The composer also employed a recurring musical theme, known as the "idée fixe," which represents the protagonist's beloved. This theme is heard throughout the symphony, undergoing various transformations to reflect the protagonist's changing emotions. Symphonie fantastique is considered a landmark work in the Romantic era, with its vivid programmatic content and innovative orchestration. It is also a reflection of Berlioz's own personal experiences and emotions, as the composer was infatuated with an actress named Harriet Smithson, who inspired the protagonist of the symphony.

More....