Berlioz's Simply Fantastic Symphony

What can be said about Berlioz and his Symphony Fantastique? One could say so much about the wide variety of orchestral colors and timbres used throughout the entire work. One thing to be mentioned is the state of the composer at the time the work was composed. Berlioz had just given up medical school to become a full-time musician, possibly to his family’s chagrin. He was dealing with the death of loved ones. The love of his life had left him for good. Hence, there is an ide fixe in the piece (or an imaginary character that the composer supposedly meets in his sleep or on his death bed if it’s another character he’s referring to). The ide fixe comes in several times as a distinct melodic chime that  signals the character he longs for and cannot have. Many times there are cycles of highly chromatic scales (a first during this time period), possibly to highlight the pressures and neuroses he was suffering from during writing the work. The cascading colors of the music of the first movement splash into the second movement that’s darker and more astute than previously, seeming to indicate that the neurotic thoughts have taken a turn for the worst. As the symphony goes on, we can see the constant switch in emotions from happy, gleeful and content to dark, sad, depressed and even suicidal. Much of the symphony is rather loud and bombastic, but there are patches of tranquil moments in between. These are among the more telling glances at the composer’s mental state at the time. Thus, a question is answered? Does one have to be crazy in order to write fantastic and sophisticated music like this? Yes. We all have quirks about us and need healing. This piece can bring heightened energy, restlessness, contentment and peace all in one fell swoop.