HECTOR BERLIOZ
(1803—1869)
Hector Berlioz is a French composer, conductor and recording artist of the romantic period. Born in the province of Burgundy (France). At the request of his physician father, he began attending medical school in Paris and simultaneously enrolled in the conservatory, which would soon lead to conflict with his family. After three unsuccessful attempts, the jury rejecting his works, Berlioz decides to devote himself entirely to music.
In 1830 he was awarded the Prix de Rome. Around this time he began to write fast music and became involved in music criticism (his debut in the press was in 1823). His critical remarks in articles and reviews have repeatedly hindered his musical career. In 1840, he began a tour of Europe and participated as a conductor in concerts where his works were performed.
During the tour, he will be in Germany, Austria and will give several concerts in Russia. Beginning in 1852, Berlioz settled in Paris and took up the position of librarian at the Conservatoire de Paris. In 1856 he was awarded the title of member of the Académie Française. Berlioz was the creator of a new musical genre, the programmatic Symphony, which, from its time, became very popular among 19th – century composers.
In addition, he was the first to create an overture as an independent work, not associated with opera oratorio. His creative legacy includes: “the Fantastic Symphony”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Harold in Italy”, the cantata “the judgment of Faust” (with the famous “March of Rakotsi”), operas (including the “Trojans” part. “) and other vocal and instrumental works. The composer uses all the technical achievements of the Romantic era, while retaining the classical tone. Programmatic music is very close to him, although many of his works are written in the classical form typical of non-programmatic music. Berlioz’s music is characterized by its excellent instrumentation.
He was the son of Rimsky-Korsakov and R. It is no coincidence that, along with Strauss, he is considered the greatest master of the instrument.