Berlioz, "Symphonie Fantastique"

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

Joshua Weilerstein

Clarinet, Timpani, Performing, Trombone, Cello, Trumpet, Bassoon, Classicalmusic, Performing Arts, Arts, Violin, Flute, Piano, Conductor, Music, Weilerstein

4.9 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2021

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Symphonie Fantastique, which was written just 3 years after Beethoven’s death, redefined what music could portray. Its color, fire, narrative arc, vulgarity, descriptiveness, and drug-induced hysteria put it in a class of its own in the classical music world. As Leonard Bernstein said: "Berlioz tells it like it is. You take a trip, you wind up screaming at your own funeral.” Today we’ll get to know the story behind Symphonie Fantastique, and also talk about this piece and all of its brilliant innovations.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and I'm
0:05.0	I'm Joshua Weilerstein.
0:07.0	I'm a conductor and I'm the artistic director of the Lozan Chamber Orchestra in
0:10.6	Lozan Switzerland.
0:12.1	This podcast is for anyone who loves classical music, works in the field, or is just getting ready to dive in to this amazing world of incredible music. Before we get started, I want to thank my new Patreon sponsors Andrew, Robert, Gideon, Marta, Michael,
0:26.0	and all of my other Patreon sponsors for making season 7 and the show possible.
0:31.2	If you'd like to support the show, please head over to Patreon.
0:33.2	com slash Sticky Notes Podcast.
0:36.1	And if you are a fan of the show, please just take a moment to give us a rating or
0:38.7	review on Apple Podcasts.
0:40.5	Every rating your review helps more people find the show and it is greatly appreciated.
0:45.0	Folks who have followed the show since its beginnings in 2017 might be wondering if this is yet another re-upload,
0:52.0	but I promise it isn't.
0:54.0	Going back and looking at my script for my season one episode on Berlioz's
0:58.1	Symphony Fantastique, I realized that I left a ton of great nuggets of
1:02.3	information out, so I've essentially
1:03.8	rewritten the entire show. I hope you enjoy this in-depth look at this incredible
1:08.7	piece. And the Oh, In September of 1827, just a few months after the death of his idol Beethoven,
1:41.0	the young French composer Hector Berlioz attended a performance of Shakespeare's
1:44.6	Hamlet.
1:46.2	Playing Ophelia was an Irish actress named Harriet Smithson.
1:50.5	The play performed in Paris was done in the original English.
	...

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