Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

Composer of the Week

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