Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod explores the women who shaped Hector Berlioz鈥檚 life and work. Today, the rollercoaster ride of his engagement to a young pianist, Camille.

Donald Macleod explores the twists and turns of Berlioz鈥檚 first engagement.

Hector Berlioz was one the most innovative and rebellious musicians of 19th-century France. He was a man of unwaveringly high expectations, in his wider life as well as his music. As the quintessential Romantic, one friend said that love was the 鈥渁lpha and omega of his existence鈥. This week Donald Macleod looks at Berlioz through the passions and relationships that shaped who he was and what he created, exploring the romantic obsessions of an especially obsessive man. We鈥檒l also hear a movement of his Symphonie Fantastique each day 鈥 Berlioz鈥檚 best known work, and the musical embodiment of his most powerful infatuation.

Today, Berlioz wins the musical jackpot of the Prix de Rome but almost throws it in for his latest love. We鈥檒l follow the rollercoaster ride of his engagement to the young pianist, Camille Moke, from elopement to attempted murder. Plus, Berlioz channels his hero, Lord Byron, and lives out his Romantic ideals on a heartbreak holiday in the Abruzzi mountains.

Fleuve du Tage
Stephanie d鈥橭ustrac, soprano
Thibaut Roussel, guitar

Tempest Fantasy
Toronto Symphony Chorus
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Davis, conductor

Symphonie Fantastique, arr. Liszt for piano (2nd movement)
Roger Muraro, piano

Carnaval Romain
Anima Eterna
Jos van Immerseel, conductor

Harold in Italy (1st movement - 鈥淗arold aux montagnes鈥)
Tabea Zimmerman, viola
Les Siecles
Francois-Xavier Roth, conductor

Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 6 Jul 2021 12:00

Music Played

  • Hector Berlioz

    Fleuve du Tage

    Performer: Thibaut Roussel. Singer: St茅phanie d'Oustrac.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMM 902504.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 12.
  • Hector Berlioz

    Tempest Fantasy

    Choir: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Conductor: Andrew Davis.
    • CHANDOS : CHSA 5239.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 1.
  • Franz Liszt

    Symphonie Fantastique, arr Liszt for piano (2nd movement)

    Performer: Roger Muraro.
    • DECCA : 476-4176.
    • DECCA.
    • 2.
  • Hector Berlioz

    Le Carnaval Romain

    Performer: Jos van Immerseel. Orchestra: Anima Eterna.
    • ZIG ZAG : ZZT-100101.
    • ZIG ZAG.
    • 6.
  • Hector Berlioz

    Harold in Italy (1st movement - "Harold aux montagnes")

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann. Orchestra: Les Si猫cles. Conductor: Fran莽ois鈥怷avier Roth.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : 902-634P.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Tue 6 Jul 2021 12:00

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.