Find Music / Composers / Hector Berlioz / Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Hector Berlioz

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Available Recordings

Composition Types

Arias (135)
Choral (149)
Operas (30)
Orchestral (462)
Organ (2)
Songs (131)
Vocal (2)

Biography

Born: 1803 Died: 1869 Country: France Period: Romantic

Berlioz, the passionate, ardent, irrepressible genius of French Romanticism, left a rich and original oeuvre which exerted a profound influence on nineteenth century music. Berlioz developed a profound affinity toward music and literature as a child. Sent to Paris at 17 to study medicine, he was enchanted by Gluck's operas, firmly deciding to become a composer. With his father's reluctant consent, Berlioz entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1826. Read more His originality was already apparent and disconcerting -- a competition cantata, Cléopâtre (1829), looms as his first sustained masterpiece -- and he won the Prix de Rome in 1830 amid the turmoil of the July Revolution. Meanwhile, a performance of Hamlet in September 1827, with Harriet Smithson as Ophelia, provoked an overwhelming but unrequited passion, whose aftermath may be heard in the Symphonie fantastique (1830).

Returning from Rome, Berlioz organized a concert in 1832, featuring his symphony. Harriet Smithson was in the audience. They were introduced days later and married on October 3, 1833.

Berlioz settled into a career pattern which he maintained for more than a decade, writing reviews, organizing concerts, and composing a series of visionary masterpieces: Harold en Italie (1834), the monumental Requiem (1837), and an opera, Benvenuto Cellini (1838), a crushing fiasco. At year's end, the dying Paganini made Berlioz a gift of 20,000 francs, enabling him to devote nearly a year to the composition of his "dramatic symphony," Roméo et Juliette (1839). And then, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the July Revolution, came the Symphonie funèbre et triomphale (1840).

Iridescently scored, an exquisite collection of six Gautier settings, Les nuits d'été, opened the new decade. This was a difficult time for Berlioz, as his marriage failed to bring him the happiness he desired. Concert tours to Brussels, many German cities, Vienna, Pesth, Prague, and London occupied him through most of the 1840s. He composed La Damnation de Faust, en route, offering the new work to a half-empty house in Paris, December 6, 1846. Expenses were catastrophic, and only a successful concert tour to St. Petersburg saved him.

He sat out the revolutionary upheavals of 1848 in London, returning to Paris in July. The massive Te Deum -- a "little brother" to the Requiem -- was largely composed over 1849, though it would not be heard until 1855. L'Enfance du Christ, scored an immediate and enduring success from its first performance on December 10, 1854. Elected to the Institut de France in 1855, he started receiving a members' stipend, and this provided him with a modicum of financial security. Consequently, Berlioz was able to devote himself to the summa of his career, his vast opera, Les Troyens, based on Virgil's Aeneid, the Roman poet's unfinished epic masterpiece. The opera was completed in 1858. As he negotiated for its performance, he composed a comique adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which met with a rapturous Baden première, on August 9, 1862. Unfortunately, only the third, fourth, and fifth acts of Les Troyens were mounted by the Théatre-Lyrique, a successful premiere, on November 4, 1863, and a run of 21 performances notwithstanding. This lopsided production stemmed from a compromise (bitterly regretted by the composer) that Berlioz had made with the Théâtre-Lyrique.

Though frail and ailing, Berlioz conducted his works in Vienna and Cologne in 1866, traveling to St. Petersburg and Moscow in the winter of 1867-1868. Despondent and tortured by self-doubt, the composer received a triumphant welcome in Russia. Back in Paris in March 1868, he was but a walking shadow as paralysis slowly overcame him. Read less

Featured Hector Berlioz CDs & DVDs:

Berlioz: Grande Messe des Morts / Davis, Banks, LSO

Release Date: 03/12/2013 Label: Lso Live
Catalog: 729 Number of Discs: 2

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Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner: Faust / Sado, Caton, Et Al

Release Date: 10/31/2000 Label: Erato
Catalog: 80234 Number of Discs: 1

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Classic Library - Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Etc

Release Date: 07/13/2004 Label: Rca Victor Red Seal
Catalog: 60859 Number of Discs: 1

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Berlioz: Les Nuits D'été, Songs / Gardiner, Crook, Robbin

Release Date: 04/14/2006 Label: Apex
Catalog: 749583 Number of Discs: 1

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Berlioz: Les Troyens / Levine, Norman, Domingo, Troyanos

Release Date: 08/14/2007 Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Catalog: 000916609

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Work: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

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1.

Colin Davis: The Philips Years [15-CD Set]

Label: Decca Catalog: 001850302 Release Date: 06/18/2013 Number of Discs: 15
Composer: Béla Bartók, Ludwig van Beethoven, Hector Berlioz, Modest Mussorgsky ...
Performer: Stephen Kovacevich, Claudio Arrau, Jessye Norman, Jon Vickers ...
Conductor: Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Dresden Staatskapelle ...

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The John Eliot Gardiner Collection

Label: Deutsche Grammophon Catalog: 001826002 Release Date: 04/30/2013 Number of Discs: 30
Composer: Claudio Monteverdi, Henry Purcell, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel ...
Performer: Marinella Pennicchi, Michael Chance, Mark Tucker, Bryn Terfel ...
Conductor: John Eliot Gardiner
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir, His Majesties Sagbutts and Cornetts ...

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Icon - Constantin Silvestri [15-CD Set]

Label: Emi Classics Catalog: 233472 Release Date: 02/05/2013 Number of Discs: 15
Composer: Antonín Dvorák, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, George Enescu, Franz Liszt ...
Conductor: Constantin Silvestri
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre de la Société du Conservatoire Paris ...
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Philips Original Jackets Collection [55-CD Set]

Label: Decca Catalog: 001767702 Release Date: 12/04/2012 Number of Discs: 55
Composer: Max Bruch, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Gioachino Rossini ...
Performer: Salvatore Accardo, Elisabeth Unger, Claudio Arrau, Thomas Zehetmair ...
Conductor: Kurt Masur, Bernard Haitink, Frans Brüggen, Simon Rattle ...
Orchestra/Ensemble: Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Beaux Arts Trio ...

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Gary Bertini Conducts Strauss, Mahler, Ravel, Debussy, Berlioz

Label: Capriccio Records Catalog: 7136 Release Date: 11/13/2012 Number of Discs: 5
Composer: Hector Berlioz, Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Gustav Mahler ...
Performer: Martha Argerich, Håkan Hagegård, Thomas Quasthoff, Elisabeth Leonskaja
Conductor: Gary Bertini
Orchestra/Ensemble: Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra

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6.

Romantic Symphonies & Overtures / Otto Klemperer

Label: Emi Classics Catalog: 404309 Release Date: 11/06/2012 Number of Discs: 10
Composer: Franz Schubert, Antonín Dvorák, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann ...
Performer: Dame Janet Baker, Heather Harper
Conductor: Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra
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7.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Concert Overtures / Norrington, Cambreling

Label: Hänssler Classic Catalog: 94614 Release Date: 10/30/2012 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Sylvain Cambreling, Roger Norrington
Orchestra/Ensemble: Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra

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8.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Slatkin, Lyon National Orchestra

Label: Naxos Catalog: NBD0029 Release Date: 09/25/2012 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Leonard Slatkin
Orchestra/Ensemble: Lyon National Orchestra

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9.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Slatkin, Lyon NO

Label: Naxos Catalog: 8572886 Release Date: 09/25/2012 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Leonard Slatkin
Orchestra/Ensemble: Lyon National Orchestra
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10.

Karajan - 1960s [82 CD-Set]

Label: Deutsche Grammophon Catalog: 001684302 Release Date: 06/26/2012 Number of Discs: 82
Composer: Richard Strauss, Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvorák, Bedrich Smetana ...
Performer: Shura Cherkassky, Hilde Rössl-Majdan, Wilma Lipp, Anton Dermota ...
Conductor: Herbert von Karajan, Hans Priem-Bergrath
Orchestra/Ensemble: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Singverein, Vienna Symphony Orchestra ...

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11.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Jean-Philippe Tremblay, Orchestre De La Francophonie

Label: Analekta Catalog: 29998 Release Date: 04/24/2012 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Jean-Philippe Tremblay
Orchestra/Ensemble: Orchestre De La Francophonie

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12.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Ticciati, Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Label: Linn Records Catalog: 400 Release Date: 04/24/2012 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Robin Ticciati
Orchestra/Ensemble: Scottish Chamber Orchestra
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13.

Great Romantic Symphonies

Label: Naxos Catalog: 8501057 Release Date: 04/24/2012 Number of Discs: 10
Composer: Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn ...
Performer: Sidney Green, Imrich Szabo
Conductor: Michael Halász, Alexander Rahbari, Antoni Wit, Reinhard Seifried ...
Orchestra/Ensemble: Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Failoni Orchestra Budapest, Brussels Belgian Radio & TV Philharmonic Orchestra ...
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14.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Label: Emi Classics Catalog: 85182 Release Date: 01/24/2012 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Sir Thomas Beecham
Orchestra/Ensemble: ORTF National Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Beecham Choral Society

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15.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Lelio / Pierre Boulez

Label: Sony Catalog: 64103 Release Date: 01/03/2012 Number of Discs: 3
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Performer: Jean-Louis Barrault, John Mitchinson, John Shirley-Quirk, Stuart Burrows ...
Conductor: Pierre Boulez
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, New York Philharmonic ...
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16.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Romeo Et Juiliette

Label: Emi Classics Catalog: 97957 Release Date: 08/09/2011 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Performer: John Aler, Simon Estes, Jessye Norman
Conductor: Riccardo Muti

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17.

Introducing Masterpieces - Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Jansons

Label: Euroarts Catalog: 2056158 Release Date: 03/29/2011 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Mariss Jansons
Orchestra/Ensemble: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

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18.

Sounds Magnificent - Story Of The Symphony / Previn, Royal Philharmonic

Label: Kultur Video Catalog: 4572 Release Date: 03/29/2011 Number of Discs: 3
Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Hector Berlioz ...
Conductor: André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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19.

Sir Thomas Beecham: French Music - Berlioz, Bizet, Delibes, Debussy, Faure, Etc.

Label: Emi Classics Catalog: 09932 Release Date: 03/22/2011 Number of Discs: 6
Composer: Hector Berlioz, Georges Bizet, Charles Gounod, Léo Delibes ...
Conductor: Sir Thomas Beecham
Orchestra/Ensemble: ORTF National Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Beecham Choral Society ...
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20.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Label: Emi Classics Catalog: 18709 Release Date: 03/08/2011 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Conductor: Sir Thomas Beecham
Orchestra/Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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21.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique / Nezet-Seguin, Antonacci

Label: Bis Catalog: 1800 Release Date: 02/22/2011 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Performer: Anna Caterina Antonacci
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Orchestra/Ensemble: Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
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22.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; La Marseillaise

Label: Apex Catalog: 78707 Release Date: 02/22/2011 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz
Performer: Placido Domingo
Conductor: Daniel Barenboim

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23.

Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique; Beethoven, Strauss / Maazel, Anda, Vienna Philharmonic

Label: Orfeo D'or Catalog: 821102 Release Date: 02/22/2011 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Hector Berlioz, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Strauss
Performer: Géza Anda
Conductor: Lorin Maazel
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

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24.

Europa Konzert 2001 At Istanbul

Label: Euroarts Catalog: 2051448 Release Date: 01/25/2011 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Hector Berlioz
Performer: Emmanuel Pahud
Conductor: Mariss Jansons
Orchestra/Ensemble: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

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25.

Ernest Ansermet Conducts Berlioz & Liszt & Wagner

Label: Cascavelle Catalog: 3143 Release Date: 12/14/2010 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner
Conductor: Ernest Ansermet
Orchestra/Ensemble: Suisse Romande Orchestra
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