Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique

What is Dies-irae?

13th century plainchant melody representing death

What is the Idée fixe?

Simple melody starting with arpeggiated triad

What is programme music?

Melodies telling specific story/showing love

What is the significance of slow introduction?

Alludes to Idée fixe

What is the significance of Dies-irae in the symphony?

Begins bar 127 of the final movement, derived from 13th century Latin sequence and is used in this instance as a theme to depict a funeral.

What is Berlioz known for?

Innovative composer, doing his own thing

What is the significance of the 4 timpani in the 3rd movement?

Produce muddy chords, with solo cor anglais

What is the significance of the double basses and timpani in the 4th movement?

Play 4-part G minor chords, with timpani playing 2-part chords (G & Bb)

What is the texture of the opening to the witches' sabbath finale?

Strings divided into 10 parts

What are the examples of texture in the symphony?

Monophony, melody-dominated homophony & homophonic chordal texture

What is the significance of tritones in the 4th movement of this symphony?

Reflects the horror of the story, contrasting mostly diatonic material

What is the significance of dissonant harmony in the 4th movement?

Reflects the story of the execution of the protagonist

What is the significance of modal harmony in the 5th movement?

Uses Dies Irae, evidence of Berlioz incorporating other influences

How does the idèe fixe first appear?

In C Major using chords I and V, gets more complex.

How does the idèe fixe develop?

Harmony gets more complex as time goes on, for instance with diminished 7th chords that fall sequentially in step

What is the structure of the piece?

5 movement structure.

How does this symphony make use of Cyclic Form?

Recurring Ideé fixe in each movement.

What is the form of the first movement?

Sonata form with a fluid tempo.

What is the 3rd movement?

The Slow movement

What is the significance of the cor anglais and timpani at the end of the 3rd movement?

Creates a muddy chord that prepares for the dark 'March to the gallows' in the following movement.

What are the main themes covered in this symphony (linking to it being a Programmatic symphony)

It details a story of love, despair, and suicide.

What is the 'March to the gallows' movement?

March-like movement with strings acting as cheers.

What is the significance of Idée Fixe?

Represents 'the beloved' and becomes grotesque.

Who is thought to be 'the beloved'?

An actress called Harriet Smithson who would later go on to marry Berlioz

What is the final movement played like?

a jig/dance, possibly linked to Harriet Smithson's role as an actress.

What is the significance of woodwind in the piece?

Heavily featured and growing in importance.

What is the tempo of the first movement?

Begins with a slow introduction but has a fluid tempo.

What is the significance of the 'March to the gallows'?

Turning point of the symphony where it becomes dark.

What is the significance of the final movement?

Idée Fixe is a square 8 bar melody and played like a jig/dance.

What is the significance of the Idée Fixe in each movement?

Becomes more grotesque with each movement.