sep 1, 1830 - Symphonie Fantastique

Description:

By Hector Berlioz. Startlingly innovative and experimental first symphony, with a clear literary program written out and distributed prior to the first performance. Prominent musical characteristics include an idee fixe, a melody that the protagonist hears whenever he thinks of his beloved appearing in all five movements, as well as novel orchestration techniques such as expanding the wind and brass sections to include new instruments, with special effects.

Thought to be influenced by Beethoven's pastoral symphony, as well as Grand Opera, with its five-part structure.

The idee fixe is basically an operatic device known as the "reminiscence motif". It interweaves narrative and formal elements.

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