Symphonie Fantastique

Question 1

What is the time signature

Answer 1

2/2

Question 2

Tonality? (2)

Answer 2

• Berlioz exploits the contrast between the generally minor tonality (G minor) and the major tonality (Bb major) of the military band-like section.
• The movement ends in the tonic major (G major).

Question 3

Why is the Symphonie Fantastique unusual in terms of it being a symphony ?

Answer 3

The Symphonie Fantastique is slightly unusual in that it has five movements rather than the normal four.

Question 4

What is Programme music?

Answer 4

Music which is descriptive or tells a story

Question 5

Describe the orchestration (2)

Answer 5

• Berlioz uses the orchestra in experimental ways and and even introduces instruments which were new at the time (cornets) And the ophicleide
• use of a large orchestra with extra instruments is typical of romantic era

Question 6

Describe theme A (5)

Answer 6

• first three bars provide several rhythmic and melodic motifs
• such as repeated sextuplet quavers played by two timpanists with sponge-headed sticks
• syncopated rhythm of third horn’s rising scale
• and pizzicato double basses divided into four parts play a G minor chord
• played pianissimo and piano dynamically

Question 7

How is a sense of anticipation created before theme B ? (3)

Answer 7

• by the use of crescendo
• the addition of more wind instruments
• the syncopated reiteration of the dominant (D7) chord.

Question 8

Describe theme B (7)

Answer 8

• Theme (b) is first heard in unison cellos and double basses with an octave leap
• forte to fortissimo and a gradual diminuendo with the descending sequence
• followed by a descending G minor scale in the lower strings
• After a startling wind fortissimo (b. 40) this is repeated.
• Repeated again in the tonic key with unison bassoons adding a countermelody featuring a staccato dotted rhythm.
• At the same time theme b is played in unison cellos and double basses while simultaneously violins and violas play its inversion.
• The descending scale (b) is shared between woodwind and the strings who alternate between pizzicato and arco.

Question 9

Describe theme C (5)

Answer 9

• March theme presented in brass and draws on relative major key version of theme A (Bb major)
• and dotted rhythm of bassoon countermelody before theme B
• The predominance of woodwind and strings gives the impression of a military band complete with a tonic pedal in the trombone.
• The first 8 bars end with an imperfect cadence the second 8 bars finish with a perfect cadence
• Theme (c) is restated with fuller orchestration involving dotted rhythm in double basses, triplet arpeggios in violas and cellos and semiquavers in the violins.

Question 10

Describe theme D (3)

Answer 10

• The fanfare-like motif is used in imitation between brass and woodwind
• While the sextuplet rhythm from the opening of the movement is present in the strings.
• Theme (d) is also repeated followed by theme (b) – like when desc, scale was shared by woodwind and strings except the descending scale of theme (b) is extended downwards forming a chromatic scale in triplet crotchets.

Question 11

Describe theme E (3)

Answer 11

• The cyclic idée fixe, which represents the artist’s sweetheart throughout the symphony, appears as the execution is about to happen
• played by solo clarinet, crescendo and dim
• This is abruptly cut off by the loud drum roll and wind chords which bring the movement to an end in the slightly surprising key of G major.

Question 12

How is tension increased towards the end? (2)

Answer 12

• As the first two bars of motif (b), now doubled in thirds in the lower brass and bassoons, are used in an ascending sequence
• The woodwind sextuplets and repeated grace note figures in the strings also move upwards in sequence.

Question 13

Composer ?

Answer 13

Berlioz

Question 14

Title ?

Answer 14

Symphonie Fantastique, fourth movement

Question 15

What era is Symphonie Fantastique ?

Answer 15

Romantic

Question 16

Name of fourth movement

Answer 16

March au Supplice

Question 17

Instruments which introduce the piece (2)

Answer 17

• Two timpanists play repeated sextuplet quavers with sponge-headed sticks
• Pizzicato double basses

Question 18

Typical features of romantic music (5)

Answer 18

• Programme Music became popular; music that tells a story (wider of dynamics etc)
  • Expressive range of playing indications such as Con Fuoco, Espressivo and Dolce.
  • The texture is still predominantly homophonic, with polyphonic sections used to develop the music.
  • Dramatic contrasts in pitch and dynamics occurred
  • Harmony becomes more discordant and chromatic.

Question 19

Instruments present in romantic music (3’

Answer 19

• The piccolo, cor anglais, bass clarinet and double bassoon were added to the Romantic orchestra.
  • The tuba was added to the brass section.
  • The percussion section expanded containing Xylophones (wooden, (metal) harps, and bells all became popular with composers.

Question 20

What form is March au supplice in?

Answer 20

• The piece is unified by a cyclic theme or idée fixe, which occurs in various guises in all five movements.
• In Marche au Supplice it appears in the clarinet representing the artist’s beloved. The lyrical and expressive nature of this tune is characteristic of the Romantic era.

Question 21

Instrumentation (3)

Answer 21

• Berlioz used the orchestra in experimental ways and even introduced instruments which were new at the time such as cornets (which had valves before the trumpets) and the ophecleide
• The fanfare-like motif (d) is used in imitation between brass and woodwind while the sextuplet rhythm from the opening of the movement is present in the strings.
• Theme (b) is first heard in unison cellos and double basses and then repeated with unison bassoons adding a countermelody featuring dotted rhythm. The descending scale is later shared between woodwind and the strings who alternate between pizzicato and arco, showing interesting use of articulation. The playing directions are also explicit (sponge-headed sticks, hand-stopped horn)

Question 22

Melody (3)

Answer 22

• There are 4 main thematic ideas with a fifth cyclic Idée fixe: the opening theme in the horn provides a syncopated idea. The second main theme is a descending scalic passage of cellos and double basses of mixed note durations. Third theme is played by cornet with dotted rhythm. Fourth is also played by cornet and the fifth is the idée fixe played by clarinet
• The cornet melody C moves by step and draws on the major key version of theme A and dotted rhythm of the bassoon countermelody at the beginning
• Similarly the fanfare like motif is used antiphonally, based loosely upon the original rising motif.

Question 23

Harmony (3)

Answer 23

• Berlioz opens the movement in g minor, with dominant 7th prominent for the anticipation of the descending scale motif. This is then heard in Eb major (chord 6) before returning to g minor.
• The use of chromatic notes also adds to the harmonic colour and is typical of Romantic era
• The solo clarinet in the idea fixe doesn’t fit with the tonality of the piece and is abruptly cut off by a large drum roll and wind chords which brings the dramatic picardy ending in G major

Question 24

Structure

Answer 24

• The movement is structured in modified sonata form, with a first subject group in g minor, a second subject group in Bb Major, a repeated’ exposition’ and development section, with a recapitulation and a coda.
• The Symphonie Fantastique is unified by the cyclic theme or idée fixe, which lyrical and expressive nature brings out the Romantic Era features
• This piece is also organised as Programme music - music that tells a story. The idée fixe that represents Berlioz seeing his love before the dramatic cutting off of his head with the drum roll and wind chords portrays this