Louis-Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) was a French Romantic composer whose radical innovations in music notably influenced the development of whole genres, such as the symphony and the opera. Berlioz initially pursued a career in medicine, per his father's wishes, yet he found his true calling in music, abandoning medical studies for the Paris Conservatoire. Despite a contentious relationship with the French musical establishment and often unfavorable criticism in his lifetime, he composed a series of remarkable works that pushed the boundaries of orchestral and instrumental music.
Hector Berlioz's oeuvre is characterized by daring orchestrations, innovative forms, and a penchant for programmatic content, as evidenced by his most famous work, "Symphonie fantastique". This symphony, an autobiographical tale of unrequited love transformed into a nightmarish vision of jealousy and despair, broke new ground by establishing the genre of program music—music with a narrative element. Other notable compositions include the dramatic symphony "Roméo et Juliette" and the operas "Les Troyens" and "Benvenuto Cellini". Berlioz also made considerable contributions as a music critic and wrote a respected treatise on orchestration. Though the titles and releases provided suggest a recent activity, they are likely new performances, remasters, or compilations of Berlioz's work, as he remains a vital figure in the classical music canon, continually reinterpreted by each generation of musicians and conductors.
Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the artists you love!
Get Started