| Series |
Unlocking the masters series ; no. 34
Unlocking the masters series ; no. 34. ^A590063
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| Contents |
Berlioz, musical dramatist and experimenter -- Early symphonic masterworks and a flop: the Symphonie Fantastique, Byron, Paganini, and Harold, the Symphonie funèbre et triomphale -- The concert overtures -- Berlioz the Shakespearean -- Goethean drama: La damnation de Faust -- Sacred music, Part 1: The rediscovered Messe Solennelle, the Te Deum and L'enfance du Christ -- Sacred music, Part 2: The Requiem (Grande Messe des Morts) -- Dramatic one-offs: Cléopâtre, Lélio, and Benvenuto Cellini -- Les Troyens, Virgil (and Shakespeare) -- Summer nights -- Listening to Berlioz. |
| Abstract |
This book surveys the music of Hector Berlioz, one of the most pioneering orchestrators in history, and introduces the general music lover to both his masterpieces such as Les Troyens and lesser known gems. A bold innovator in the 19th century, Berlioz was a musical dramatist with an output that is less familiar than it should be and often misunderstood. His most famous and popular pieces are the thrilling programmatic symphonies, the Symphonie fantastique and Harold en Italie. The "dramatic symphonies" Roméo et Juliette and La Damnation de Faust are both driven by conflict and excitement, which contrast his piercing, long-limbed melodies and startling harmonic shifts. Berlioz's strongly profiled musical style possesses high rhythmic energy, and manic outbursts that are instantly identifiable as his, and he is widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative and effective orchestrators in history. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references. |
| ISBN | 9781538135587 paperback |
| ISBN | 1538135582 paperback |
