1830 Hector Berlioz - Op. 14 - Symphonie Fantastique: Épisode de la vie d'un Artiste... en cinq parties

Op. 14; Year: 1830; Genre: Romantic Period/classical

1830, which is also my song pick number, is the year that Hector Berlioz's acclaimed piece Symphonie Fantastique first debuted. While Berlioz didn't really have as many compositions as many other composers, this is considered to be one of the more important pieces of classical music from the Romantic Period.
This symphony was written around a narrative that was influenced by Berlioz's infatuation with an Irish actress by the name of Harriet Smithson. During the first three parts of the symphony the main character, who today might be referred to as a stalker, pursues his love, but is unable to gain her affection; throughout the piece she is represented by a melody that is often heard and in different ways.
Disenchanted, eventually the main character decides to take his own life my means of overdosing on opium, however instead of killing him he dreams that he murdered the woman of his infatuation and of his subsequent execution, which he observes as an onlooker. My favourite part of the symphony is the fifth and final section: Song d'une nuit de sabbat, where he dreams of a witch's sabbath complete with the sound of rattling bones that depict skeleton's dancing. It's interesting how the light and beautiful melody that represented the woman he loved is reintroduced this time as a shrill and antagonistic presence that seemingly mocks him.
Interestingly enough Berlioz did eventually wed Harriet Smithson, however from what I understand their marriage didn't turn out to be the stuff fairy tales are made of.

Hear the full Symphonie Fantastique on YouTube.



My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Dun Ringill

My song pick two years ago today: Ian Anderson - Fly By Night

My song pick three years ago today: The Supremes - I Hear a Symphony

My song pick four years ago today: Rammstein - Mutter

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