Hector Berlioz
French romantic composer, conductor and critic.
via Wikipedia: List of works by Hector Berlioz · see source
Hector Berlioz was a French romantic composer who produced significant musical and literary works. He composed mainly in the genres of opera, symphonies, choral pieces and songs, as well as several works that fit into hybrid genres, such as the "dramatic symphony" Roméo et Juliette and Harold in Italy, a symphony with a large solo part for viola. Berlioz's writings include memoirs, technical studies and music criticism. His compositions are listed both by genre and by the catalogue developed by the musicologist D. Kern Holoman. Opus numbers were assigned to compositions when they published, but they were only given to a fraction of Berlioz's work and are not in chronological order.
- born
- 11 December 1803
- died
- 8 March 1869
- field
- Composer, conductor, critic
- nationality
- French
- known_for
- Symphonie fantastique, Harold in Italy, Requiem, Les Troyens
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Berlioz's musical output includes the Symphonie fantastique (1830), Harold en Italie (1834), Roméo et Juliette (1839), and Grande symphonie funèbre et triomphale (1840) among his symphonies. His operas include Benvenuto Cellini (1834–38), Les Troyens (1856–58), and Béatrice et Bénédict (1860–62). He also composed oratorios such as La damnation de Faust (1845–46) and L'enfance du Christ (1850–54), and sacred works including the Grande messe des morts (Requiem) (1837) and Te Deum (1849). His songs include the cycle Les nuits d'été (1841). Berlioz produced a large amount of music criticism throughout his career, starting in 1823, writing articles in publications such as Le corsaire, Journal des débats, and Gazette musicale. His complete music criticism is being collected in a ten-volume edition by l’Association Nationale Hector Berlioz as Hector Berlioz: Critique Musicale 1823–1863. Nearly four thousand of Berlioz's letters have been preserved, published in the Correspondance Générale series.
Reader's Guide
Berlioz's writings include the Grand traité d'instrumentation et d'orchestration moderne, Op. 10 (Treatise on Instrumentation, Paris, 1843; revised ed. 1855), Voyage musical en Allemagne et en Italie (Paris, 1844), Les soirées de l'orchestre (Paris, 1852), Le chef d’orchestre: théorie de son art (Paris, 1856), Les grotesques de la musique (Paris, 1859), À travers champs (Paris, 1862), and Mémoires (Paris, 1870). Several works that Berlioz planned to write but never wrote are mentioned in his memoirs and letters, including the operas Les Noces d’or d’Obéron et de Titania, La Mort d’Hercule, Richard en Palestine, Robin-Hood, Atala, Les Noces des fées, Les Brigands, Hamlet, Méphistophélès, Roméo et Juliette, Cléopâtre, Salammbô, and an opera on the Thirty Years' War; settings of verses by Édouard Turquety and Abbé Arnaud, Canon of Poitiers; a Symphony in A minor; and a vast symphonic poem. Many of Berlioz's works resist easy categorisation and assigning them to a genre is often impossible; the genres given in lists should be regarded as merely a guideline.
Did You Know?
- Berlioz's opus numbers were only given to a fraction of his work and are not in chronological order.
- The catalogue of Berlioz's works by Holoman number was published in 1987 as the 25th volume of Bärenreiter's New Berlioz edition.
- Berlioz produced a large amount of music criticism starting in 1823, writing for publications including Le corsaire, Journal des débats, and Gazette musicale.
- Nearly four thousand of Berlioz's letters have been preserved, published in the Correspondance Générale series across eight volumes.
- Berlioz planned but never wrote a Symphony in A minor and a vast symphonic poem, among other works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hector Berlioz?
Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic-era composer, conductor, and music critic who lived from 1803 to 1869. He is remembered for his bold orchestral writing and his fiercely independent artistic vision, which often clashed with the conservative Parisian musical establishment.
What is Hector Berlioz most famous for?
His Symphonie fantastique is arguably his best-known work, a programmatic orchestral piece that became a landmark of Romantic music. He is also widely celebrated for his massive Requiem, the epic opera Les Troyens, and the orchestral work Harold in Italy.
What made Hector Berlioz different from other composers of his era?
Berlioz refused to follow the rigid conventions expected by the Parisian musical establishment, which frequently put him at odds with conservative critics and institutions. His willingness to blend genres—coining labels like 'dramatic symphony' and 'dramatic legend'—set him apart from his contemporaries.
How many operas did Hector Berlioz compose?
He wrote three operas: Benvenuto Cellini, Les Troyens, and Béatrice et Bénédict. Les Troyens, his sprawling five-act opera, is often regarded as one of the greatest operas ever written, though it was not fully staged during his lifetime.
What other roles did Hector Berlioz have besides composing?
Beyond his compositions, Berlioz was a highly skilled conductor and a prolific music critic. He wrote extensively for newspapers and journals, using his pen to champion new music and defend his own artistic choices.
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