View source for Hector Berlioz

[[Image:Berlioz.jpg|thumb|Hector Berlioz]]
''' Hector Berlioz''' (La Côte-Saint-André, 1803 – [[Paris]], 1869) was a [[French]] composer, writer  and critic; he was considered the greatest conductor of his era. In 1830 he won the Prix de Rome.

<blockquote>
The Symphonie fantastique of 1830, an orchestral work that contains autobiographical elements, suggested new paths in composition. [http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Hector_Berlioz_25992/25992.htm]
</blockquote>

In 1865, his ''Memoirs'' were completed. A statue in Berlioz’s is in the Place Hector Berlioz at La Côte Saint-André in Paris. 

Berlioz first married Harriet Smithson, and Marie Recio who would become his second wife. 

== Some Works ==
*''Symphonie fantastique''  
*Le Dépit de la bergère
*Amitié reprends ton empire 
*Toi qui l’aimas verse des pleurs 
*Scène héroïque  (La Révolution grecque)
*Grande Ouverture des Francs-Juges 
*Cléopâtre
*Grande Messe des morts ('''Requiem''')
*Roméo et Juliette 
*Hymne à la France 
*Hymne des Marseillais 
*Marche troyenne 
*Tantum ergo 
*Invitation à louer Dieu

==Works that are heard today and important to those interested in learning about Berlioz's music==
:''Symphonie Fantastique'' – autobiographical . Very concerned with his relationship with Harriet Smithson, the Irish actress who he would marry - mentioned above. It is one of the most performed and recorded of the Romantic symphonies.
:''Harold in Italy'' – a musical representation of parts of Lord Byron’s epic poem, Childe Harold. It is a suite for [[viola]] and orchestra in all but name and one of the great works for that instrument.
:''The Childhood of Christ'' – an oratorio.
:''The Damnation of Faust'' – an opera-cum-choral symphony that is played when companies can afford to play it. 
:''Summer Nights'' – one of the great romantic [[song cycle]]s. Take your pick between  Janet Baker and  Regine Crispin.
:''Invitation to the Dance'' - an orchestration of [[Weber]]'s piano piece that has become more popular than its parent.
:''La Marseillaise'' – an arrangement for massed everything of the wonderful French National Anthem, de Lisle’s  "Song of the Army of the Rhine".
:''Romeo and Juliet'' – We are back to Harriet here. – his wife to be.  A frequently performed/recorded opera , symphonic in form, with a languorous love scene as sweet as any. Its Queen Mab Scherzo is a popular “filler”.
:''Beatrice and Benedict'' – Shakespeare again;  this time a comedy. The overture is the most performed part, but the general exuberance of the opera makes it welcome wherever it appears.
:The [[Requiem]] – his ''Grande messe de morts''. One of the great requiems. 
::While on this atheist’s sacred output, it should be mentioned that he wrote a gigantic [[Te Deum]] and a Funeral March that denuded the countryside for miles around for its singers and players.
:''The Trojans'' – a massive opera. Certain orchestral parts – especially the March of the Trojans – are heard frequently.




: [http://www.hberlioz.com/Works/Catalogue.htm A complete listing of all Berlioz’s musical works]

== See also ==

*[[Georges Bizet]]
*[[Claude Debussy]]
*[[Maurice Ravel]]
*[[Romantic period (music)]]
*[[Classical music]]

== External links ==

*[http://www.hberlioz.com/ The  Hector Berlioz Website]
*[http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/berlioz.html Hector Berlioz]



[[Category:Composers|Berlioz, Hector]]