1830 - Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique

Question 1

4th Movement (Slow Movement)
1830 - Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique

Answer 1

• In programme, hero, in a fit of suicidal depression takes an overdose of opium, but instead of killing him, he’s put in a deep hallucinatory dream. He imagines he has murdered his beloved and is now being marched off to his execution.
• The end of the theme is produced by a single loud chord that the program tells us is a blade of the guillotine falling on the head of our hero. This crashing chord is followed by pizzicato notes that descend from the violins to the basses, most likely as a gruesome imitation of the severed head falling off its body.

Question 2

3rd Movement
1830 - Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique

Answer 2

• This programmatic piece it represents a Waltz at which the artist sees his beloved.
• Remarkable for its use of 2 harps at the opening, which dominate the accompanying texture.

Question 3

Dev. of Orchestra
1830 - Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique

Answer 3

• Berlioz’ score needs nearly 100 players.
• 4th movement opens with terrifying rumbling on timpani + cellos and double basses divided into four low parts.
• 5th movement begins with violins and violas divided into eight parts playing high tremolo, creating an otherworldly feeling.
• Later in this movement, high Eb clarinet is used, not used before in the orchestra (being an instrument of marching bands) to create a nightmarish distorted version of the Idee Fixe.