context Flashcards
when was this piece written?
1830, but was later revised
how influential was Berlioz to romantic music?
he was highly influential in the development of it, he wrote music on a large scale having large orchestras, he also showed innovative methods of orchestration as well as melodic and harmonic ideas
what is programme music? what did Berlioz provide?
instrumental music that has a story behind it, became popular in the Romantic period- he provided his own programme notes for each movement
what is the story behind this piece?
it tells the story of a talented young artist that poisoned himself with opium due to unrequited love
who was Harriet Smithson?
an Irish actress who was the object of Berlioz’s attention, eventually they married but separated later on but remained friends. the piece is said to be autobiographical and represents his love and obsession
what is an idée fixe?
a short melodic idea which keeps reappearing. it is and idea or desire that dominates the mind. more than having an ostinato or motif, this is a persistent use of a key idea, representing something in the context of the story- in this instance, it represents the young artists’ love (Harriet Smithson)
