Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

Donald Macleod pulls back the curtain on Berlioz’s greatest
obsession


Donald Macleod explores the women who shaped Hector Berlioz’s
life and work


Hector Berlioz was one the most innovative and rebellious
musicians of 19th century France. He was a man of unwaveringly
high expectations, in his wider life as well as his music. As the
quintessential Romantic, one friend said that love was the “alpha
and omega of his existence”. This week Donald Macleod looks at
Berlioz through the passions and relationships that shaped who he
was and what he created, exploring the romantic obsessions of an
especially obsessive man. We’ll also hear a movement of his
Symphonie Fantastique each day – Berlioz’s best known work, and
the musical embodiment of his most powerful infatuation.


Music Featured:


Marche Funèbre pour la dernière scène d‘Hamlet (Tristia, Op 18)
Irlande (La belle voyageuse) Romeo et Juliette – Scène d’amour
Lelio – Choeur d’ombres Symphonie Fantastique (1st movement –
Reveries – Passions) Fleuve du Tage Tempest Fantasy Symphonie
Fantastique, arr. Liszt for piano (2nd movement) Harold in Italy
(1st movement - “Harold aux montagnes”) Requiem: Lacrimosa
Chanson de Brigands (Lelio) Symphonie Fantastique (3rd movement -
Scene aux champs) Benvenuto Cellini: Overture La Mort d’Ophélie
Marche Hongroise Nuits d’été (1. Villanelle, 5. Absence)
Symphonie Fantastique (4th movement – Marche au supplice)
L’Enfance du Christ, Part II : La fuite en Egypte Béatrice et
Bénedict, Act II No 10 : “Dieu, que viens j’entendre?....Il m’en
souvient “ Au Cimetière (Nuits d’été) Rêverie et caprice for
violin Les Troyens : Act IV, Nos 34b-37 ("O blonde Ceres…Nuit
d’ivresse") Le dépit de la bergère, H. 7 Symphonie Fantastique
(5th movement – Songe d’une nuit de sabbat)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000xlhc


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z