Changing the way you learn

Berlioz' 'Symphonie Fantastique'

M I - 'Reveries - passions'
1. Thematic Transformation - idee fixe. solo flute and vl I, accompanied by heart palpatation figure - rest diminish as the theme builds in intensity. C maj, 4/4
2. slow, then allegro
3. maj/min fluctuation - starts in C minor, but 1st subject/IF is in C maj
MII - 'Un Bal'
1. Tonally ambiguous introduction - A min, F maj, A maj - Terzvanwandschaften (keys a 3rd apart)
2. waltz - 3/8
3. 2 harps - interesting orchestration, grand scale is typical or Berlioz
4. light timbre - lyrical waltz theme played by vln I, vc + db 'oom' and vla + vln II 'cha cha'
5. principles of klangfabenmelodie are used to accompany waltz theme: 1 - strings, 2 - harps, 3 - woodwind/horns
M III - 'Scene aux champs'
1. oboe plays off stage at intro - sound is less clear
2. Storm - texture = 4 timp + c.a. therefore sparse. strom answers cowheards cries. Timp tuned to F Ab C Bb and have sudden dynamic surges - v. unusual to use as an instrument in their own right, and 4 of them. Ends with unexpected string a horn F maj perfect cadence
3. Ranz des vaches - dailogue between c.a. and ob (8ve apart), F maj however vla tremolo accomp gives an indeterminate sense of key, sparse texture to represent vast landscape
4. Brook - F maj, vl II and vla rippling idea in 3rds accompanies a lyrical cl melody with fl + vln I ornamented bird calls, then vln I demisemiquaver ripples with vla down 3 repeated demisemiquaver doublestopping accompanying woodwind brook theme and vln II IF
5. slow, 6/8
M IV - 'Marche au Supplice'
1. dark timbre (intro) timp sextuplets + vc + db pizz G minor chords every 1st and 3rd beat
2. dark timbre - Ist sub - vc + db descend G minor scale, later with vla 3rd above and bsn counter melody (later bsn play stacatto)
3. march - dotted rhythms + fanfare ideas in valved horn, horn 3+4 and woodwind, accompanied by manacing string ostinato (sense of drive)
4. contrast: 1) polyrhythms - string triplets and everyone else dotted quavers. 2) g min/Db maj chord in quick sucession - B specifies the music is right
5. thematic transformation - truncated (4 bars long), solo clarinet and no heart beats, G maj but interrupted by G min tutti chord, head rolling = string pizz notes following, IF held in reserve for dramatic impact
6. fast
7. 1st sub = G min, 2nd sub = Bb maj (terzverwandschaften), G maj after excecution
M V - 'Songe d'une Nuit du Sabbat'
1. timbre
  1. pic, ob + fl gliss down an octave - haunting effect
  2. piccolo cl + pic play IF (8ve apart) = shrill + distorted
2. texture
  1. fugal string build up, starting with vc and bass drum and going upwards
  2. intro - vlns and vlas have subdivided (3,3,2) and play a tremolo dim 7th chord, the descend chromatically with peg staccatos pp
  3. RD v DI - RD = strings, DI = woodwind, brass and timp. DI moves each bar, RD uses 6/8/ dance rhythms
3. thematic transformation - IF = pic. clarinet with distorted melody and ornamented in Eb maj. accomp by cl and ob (crotchet quaver etc), builds with bsn + vc rising semis answered by vla falls, picc doubles pic. cl 8ve above
4. DI (plain song, requiem for dead) - diminution = c20 technique. 1st op + bsn + church bell accomp, 2nd dim brass (3rds), 3rd dim woodwind and high strings (3rds), all repeated twice with addition of low string and bass drum heterophony for 1st.
5. slow, then fast dance
6. use of church bells (v unusual), also uses ophiclide (instrument before tuba)
7. terzverwandscaften - RD = C maj, DI = Eb maj

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Berlioz' 'Symphonie Fantastique'

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	Created by bluestarclarinet over 11 years ago