Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, Movement 1, Intro Flashcards
When was Berlioz alive?
What musical period was he influential in?
1803-69
19th century/romantic composer, influential in its development
Who influenced Berlioz?
Beethoven - his successor
Where was Berlioz from?
What was his education
France
Studied medicine in Paris
Left to study composition at Paris conservatoire
Self taught
What does reveries mean?
Dreams
What is movement 1 about?
Fell in love with Harriet Smithson - unrequited but later unhappily married
Semi-autobiographical - about Berlioz’s fascination with Harriet
Rejected - eventually overdoses on opium in depths of despair - doesn’t take enough to be lethal so all one big trip
When was Symphonie Fantastique premiered?
What was unprecedented of about the opening night?
1830
Programmes to outline tale - unheard of for time & symphonies
What was unheard of about Symphonie Fantastique?
Programmes
Long
Large orchestra (65, usually c.15)
What was the music used as?
Character description
What is the structure of Symphonie Fantastique?
Sonata:
Into
x2 exposition
Development
Recapitulation
Coda
Typical for symphonies
(structure)
What is the idee fixe?
Fixed idea
Portrays Harriet Smithson
Reoccurs
What is unusual about the intro?
What is it a precursor for?
Long for a symphony
Symphony length & orchestra
(structure)
What is the tempo for the intro?
Slow largo - longing
Symphony typical
(tempo)
What plays the intro?
Muted strings
(sonority)
What is the tone of the intro?
Cm - sad & uneasy spirit full of expression
(tone)
What reoccurs throughout the intro?
Operatic sighs; falling sigh chord
(melody/harmony)
What do mood changes in the music show?
What are mood changes normal for?
Changing mood of the artist
Symphonies
When is the idee fixe first heard?
What does it cause?
(1)
Intro - artist hasn’t seen Harriet yet
Causes mood change - shows artist temperamental mood
What creates dreamy phrases in the intro?
What does it describe?
(2)
Returning sigh (falling sigh chords)
Lovesick & tortured dreams after artist takes opium overdose
What reflects the loneliness & despair of the artist?
(3)
Mood change as tragic quality & feeling returns
Before the end of the intro, what plays a triplet rhythm?
Flutes & clarinets
(rhythm)
What does the horn enter playing at the end of the intro?
Happier theme
What enters at the end of the intro in anticipation of the exposition?
Excitement: passion & optimism enters
