Berlioz - Harold in Italy Flashcards
When did Berlioz compose Harold in Italy - a symphony in four movements with a part
for solo viola?
In 1834
Which poem was Harold in Italy based on?
Byron’s poem ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage’, a ‘childe’ here
signifying a candidate for knighthood. The poem describes the travels and reflections of a world-weary young man looking
for distractions in foreign lands.
Why did Paganini refused to perform Harold in Italy?
He felt the solo part did not
have enough for him to play.. In Berlioz’s day, a concerto was a composition with a solo part, usually virtuosic,
accompanied by orchestra. Berlioz, however, wrote a non-virtuosic solo viola part, even though it was intended
for Paganini, the leading virtuoso of the time.
Is Harold in Italy a symphony or a concerto?
The work is really a symphony rather than a concerto.
How is influence of folk music from the Abruzzi Mountains clear in Harold in Italy, Movement III?
From the use of drones, modal inflections and saltarello rhythms.
What is the Idée fixe in Berlioz - Harold in Italy, Movement III?
It’s a theme first heard in the Adagio part of movement I that reappears
in later movements, to represent Harold
What is the idée fixe actually labelled as at its first appearance in Harold in Italy, movement III (bar 65, viola solo)?
‘Thème de l’Adagio’
What’s the instrumentation in Harold in Italy, Movement III?
Typically for Berlioz, a large orchestra is used in Harold in Italy, but there is a
reduction in movement III.
What is unusual about the scoring for Harold in Italy, Movement III?
It includes piccolo,
cor anglais, four horns, harp and divided violas (without the heavier brass and
percussion.
How does Berlioz use Violas in the opening of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
They are divided at the opening to enable
the lower part to play open-string drones while the upper part plays melodic material.
What do the piccolo and the oboe represent at the beginning of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
Pifferi (rustic oboes)
What does it simulate when the violins and cellos play pizzicato, and there is double stopping in the violins at the Allegretto (bar 32) in Harold in Italy, Movement III?
This
simulates the sound of plucked instrumental accompaniment (guitar-style) in this
serenade ‘of a mountaineer…to his Mistress’.
What does the clarinet do at bar 48 of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
It uses the (low) chalumeau register with broken-chord figures.
What do the strings do at bar 3 of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
All the strings return to ‘arco’
For the final very quiet section of Harold in Italy, Movement III, what do the strings do?
They play with mutes (‘con sord[ini]’)
In the final very quiet section of Harold in Italy, Movement III, what does the harp do?
It plays harmonics, indicated by the circles above the notes.
Overall, what is the difficulty of the viola part in Harold in Italy, Movement III?
Overall, the technical demands of the solo viola part are fairly limited, the most
demanding feature being the semiquaver staccato writing with alternating pitches an
octave apart (from bar 99).
What is the prevailing texture of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
Melody-dominated homophony, with variations in scoring and
layout.
Who has the main melodic material in the opening passage of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
The main melodic material in the opening passage (from bar 4) is played in octaves
by the 1st oboe and the piccolo (the piccolo sounds an octave higher than written).
Who has the countermelodic material in the opening passage of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
A countermelody is played by the 1st violas.
What does the accompaniment (from bar 1) consist of in Harold in Italy, Movement III?
A drone (double pedal) on C and G in long notes in 2nd oboe, clarinets and bassoon. The violas play the same notes, but to a lovely rhythm. The bassoon maintains a pedal C throughout this section
At the Allegretto (bar 32), which part plays the serenade theme, and what is the accompaniment (in Harold in Italy, Movement III)?
The serenade theme is in the solo cor anglais, with strings
providing a homophonic accompaniment. Note also broken-chord figures in the (divided) violas.
At bar 53 what is the melody of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
The main melody woodwind. Strings play a chromatic
countermelody in octaves, while (second) clarinet and (first) horn provide a third part
What happens melodically at bar 60 of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
The two horns in C play a horn-call version of part of the Serenade theme
in 3rds and 6ths. The accompaniment is similar to that of bar 32. The idée fixe in
long notes on solo viola provides an additional strand from bar 65
What happens melodically at bars 79-85 of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
At bars 79‒85 there is brief dialogue between woodwind instruments, beginning with
cor anglais and oboe, then clarinet, flute and piccolo, and finally bassoons, playing in
octaves
What happens melodically at the second Alegretto (bar 166) of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
Berlioz combines various themes and ideas
previously heard separately (see also under ‘Structure’). Note the opening drone
accompaniment ( in both sets of violas), the idée fixe in the flute (doubled by harp
harmonics) in much longer notes than before, and the serenade theme (viola solo)
What happens melodically at bars 202-206 of Harold in Italy, Movement III?
There is a monophonic statement of the serenade theme in the solo
viola.