his love for the actress Harriet Smithson
Vivid description of the weird and diabolical
Symphonie Fantastique
Berlioz called his work a Fantasy-Symphony because it deviates from traditional symphonic form, instead presenting a more imaginative and programmatic approach. The term "fantasy" reflects the work's narrative and emotional journey, inspired by Berlioz's unrequited love and personal experiences. It combines orchestral innovation with a vivid storyline, allowing for greater expressive freedom than a conventional symphony. This approach emphasizes the subjective and emotional aspects of the music, making it a pioneering piece in the Romantic repertoire.
Program Symphony
Berlioz did not subtitle his Symphony Fantastique 'Oh How You Love Thee Juliette'. This symphony was written in five movements or parts. None of these movements had this subtitle.
Vivid description of the weird and diabolical
The recurring theme is known as the idée fixe in French.
Symphonie Fantastique
Berlioz called his work a Fantasy-Symphony because it deviates from traditional symphonic form, instead presenting a more imaginative and programmatic approach. The term "fantasy" reflects the work's narrative and emotional journey, inspired by Berlioz's unrequited love and personal experiences. It combines orchestral innovation with a vivid storyline, allowing for greater expressive freedom than a conventional symphony. This approach emphasizes the subjective and emotional aspects of the music, making it a pioneering piece in the Romantic repertoire.
Program Symphony
Keeping Score - 2004 Berlioz Symphony Fantastique 2-1 was released on: USA: 16 October 2009
Berlioz did not subtitle his Symphony Fantastique 'Oh How You Love Thee Juliette'. This symphony was written in five movements or parts. None of these movements had this subtitle.
Ernő Dohnányi Symphony No.1., G. Sgambati Symphony No.1., Robert Schumann Symphony no.3, G. Mahler Symphony no.5, H. Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, D. Shostakovich Symphony No.9
He used the 13th century hym named the "Dies Irae" (day of wrath). This is a medevil latin poem sung in plainchant, characterised by its heavy accents and the part of the melody in which descending thirds are used. Many composers including Berlioz used this as a theme in their symphonies.
As you have worded your question in general terms, the answer is 'nothing'. In general, symphonies do not 'depict' anything - they exist as absolute music. Certain specific symphonies, or specific movements in a symphony, may be described by their composer as depicting something - but that is a different question.
fantastic symphony
it is a program symphony - follows a storyline has more chromatic notes than it would if it was classical phrases are longer emotional