Thankful for Berlioz
It is hard to imagine what audiences thought of Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique at its first performance in 1830. Premiered only three years after the death of Beethoven, the work must have stunned audiences with its dazzling orchestration and daring harmonies. And let’s not forget the drama that takes place as the symphony unfolds. Berlioz’s fiery masterpiece was the musical representation of his love for actress Harriet Smithson. There is no doubt Berlioz (pictured to the right) was certainly a Romantic in more than one sense of the word. You can read more about the storyline of the symphony previewed here by Richard Nilsen of the Arizona Republic.There are three performances of this monumental work this Thanksgiving weekend. Come hear one of the most outlandish works to make it into the concert hall, bring a friend, then come back here and let us know what you thought. This is a great piece to get friends hooked on orchestral music. It promises to mesmerize!
A Happy Thanksgiving to you from everyone at The Phoenix Symphony!
2 Comments:
and a happy thanksgiving back to all at the Phoenix Symphony!
I must admit that you had me glancing at the numbers on the TV monitor in the first half on Saturday night.
In the Bernstein "Age of Anxiety" Symphony, the 2 sets of 7 variations became well-defined in my mind thanks to the exact synchrononization of the music and the numbers. I did not, however, stoop to reading the handout. If you can't tell what instruments are playing or need to be told how the music is supposed to make you feel, I am very sorry for you.
This 20th Century Symphony for solo piano and orchestra proves why LIVE performance is the only way to fully appreciate music. None of the recordings available could let you hear the ultra pianissimo beginning with the 2 clarinets. If you turn up the volume switch, the orchestral entrance becomes unbearably loud. The concert hall is where it's at!
By the way, the off stage timpanis were great. A lot of the balcony dwellers were caught off guard. Symphony is FANtastic!
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