Chapter 43. Personal Soundtracks: Berlioz and the Program Symphony; Listening Guide 33: Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, IV and V
Listen to the following music excerpts and drag them to the correct location on the image below. Only the highlighted sections can be possible targets.
Green (downward minor scale, 0:11)- 1st Red (diabolical march tune, 0:14)- 2nd Yellow (clarinet idée fixe, 0:09)- 3rd
Instrumental music that has some literary or pictorial association is absolute music.
false
Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique is in how many movements?
five
The idée fixe, which means "- idea," is varied throughout Symphonie fantastique through a process known as - transformation.
fixed, thematic
The idée fixe from Symphonie fantastique represents the artist's beloved. T/F
true
Which of the following is true about Hector Berlioz?
Correct Answer(s) He won the Prix de Rome. He was a genius at orchestration. Some of his works have a literary basis. Incorrect Answer(s) He was a German Romantic composer. His parents expected him to become a music composer.
Which of the following describe aspects of the fourth movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique?
Correct Answer(s) prominent use of timpani minor tonality duple meter Incorrect Answer(s) peaceful mood
Drag and drop the appropriate words that complete the description of the fifth movement of Berlioz's symphony.
In the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique, both the theme of the Beloved, known as the idée fixe, and the Dies irae chant are transformed in character.
Drag and drop the appropriate words that describe this excerpt from the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique.
In this passage, the composer Berlioz combines two elements: the Dies irae chant and the dance of the witches.
At the end of the piece, you hear a passage played loudly by brass, then the "fixed idea" played softly by a solo instrument. What is the solo instrument?
clarinet
Match the excerpts with the different elements of the program of the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique. 0:08, 1:03, 0:20
dancing-1:03 diabolical transformation-0:08 death-0:20
Which of the following best describes the melodic contour of Theme A in March to the Scaffold?
descending
Which of the following describes the melodic contour of the first appearance of Theme A in March to the Scaffold?
descending
Match the descriptive words or phrases with the different elements of music as found in Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, IV.
form- sonata-like with two themes meter- duple dynamics- sudden changes
The character development in Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique is realized musically through the thematic development of the -.
idee
The main theme, heard transformed in each movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, is called the -.
idee
The character development in Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique is realized musically through the thematic development of the -.
idée fixe
The main theme, heard transformed in each movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, is called the
idée fixe.
Which of the following made improved instruments possible in the nineteenth century?
increased availability of raw materials improved production of metal alloys machines powered by steam
Match the descriptive words or phrases with the different elements of music as found in this excerpt from Symphonie fantastique, movement V.
instrumentation- low brass bells melody- quotation of the Dies irae chant
Match the descriptive words or phrases with the different elements of music as found in this excerpt from Symphonie fantastique, movement V.
meter- 6/8 tempo- Allegro texture- predominantly polyphonic
After the idée fixe is played by a solo instrument, the guillotine blade drops on the lovesick artist and his head falls below. How does Berlioz use music to describe the action?
one loud chord followed by two softer notes in low strings
What instrumental group performs Symphonie fantastique?
orchestra
Which of the following does not describe aspects of the fourth movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique?
peaceful mood
Match each technological advancement to the instrument that it affected most in the nineteenth century.
piano Correct label: cast-iron frame trumpets and horns Correct label: rotary and piston valves flute Correct label: new sound hole system violin correct label: secure chin rest
- music evokes images and ideas and is distinguished from - music, which consists of music without literary or pictorial meanings.
program absolute
Instrumental music that has some literary or pictorial association is called -.
program music
Instrumental music that has some literary or pictorial association is called - music.
progrm
The instrument that was invented in the nineteenth century and ultimately became a staple in jazz bands is the -.
saxophone
What instruments play Theme A when you hear it a third time?
strings
Berlioz's wife, who is believed to be the inspiration for his Symphonie fantastique, was which?
the actress Harriet Smithson
What does the loud chord at the end of the fourth movement (March to the Scaffold) of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique represent? Click or tap a choice to answer the question.
the falling of the guillotine's blade
In which movement is the Dies irae ("Day of Wrath") theme from the Mass for the Dead heard in Symphonie fantastique?
the fifth
What is the expansive form of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique—in which a recurrent theme is varied in harmony, rhythm, meter, tempo, dynamics, register, and/or instrumental color—called?
thematic transformation
Here is Theme A: (Theme A, 0:11) And here is Theme B: (Theme B, 0:14) Which theme do you hear in this excerpt? (Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique, IV, 0:06)
theme A
Here is Theme A: (Theme A, 0:03) And here is Theme B: (Theme B, 0:03) What best describes the next passage of music? (Which theme is it?, 0:01)
theme B
Here is Theme A: (Theme A, 0:03) And here is Theme B: (Theme B, 0:03) What describes the next passage of music? (Which theme is it?, 0:01)
theme B
After Theme A in pizzicato (plucked) strings with bassoon countermelody: (Theme A, 0:11) You hear Theme B, a contrasting theme: (Theme B, 0:14) What happens in Theme B that is different from Theme A?
theme B is played loudly by brass and woodwinds
Adolphe Sax developed the saxophone in the middle of the nineteenth century.
true
Berlioz was a devoted fan of Beethoven.
true
Berlioz wrote a Requiem Mass.
true
Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique is a program symphony.
true
Hector Berlioz looked to the writings of Shakespeare as the basis for both an opera and symphonic works.
true
In the nineteenth century Theobold Boehm improved the flute, making it metal rather than wood.
true
The theme below is heard in some form in all five movements of Symphonie fantastique. T/F
true
The theme heard here is a transformed version of the idée fixe. T/F
true
What instrument plays a countermelody in this excerpt of Theme A?
bassoon
Place the following movements in the order that they appear in Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique.
"Reveries, Passions" "A Ball" "Scene in the Fields" "March to the Scaffold" "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath"
Which of the following statements correctly describe Berlioz's March to the Scaffold, the fourth movement from Symphonie fantastique?
-The idée fixe is heard only at the end of the movement. -The timpani are prominently featured. -The movement is programmatic.
Which of the following statements describe this excerpt from the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique and which do not?
-The melody represents the Beloved. -The tune features the clarinet in its highest register. -The melody includes ornaments such as trills and grace notes.
Which of the following statements describe this excerpt from the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique and which do not? (second version)
-Woodwinds and strings are featured. -It is a transformed version of the Dies irae chant.
Which of the following can be heard in the following excerpt from Symphonie fantastique, movement V, and which cannot?
-low brass -chromatic scales -soft, muted strings
Which of the following statements describe the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique and which do not?
-opens with a slow section that gives way to an allegro -unusual instrumental effects -prominent use of dissonant and chromatic harmonies
Which of the instruments below feature prominently in this excerpt and which do not?
-tubas -bassoons
What does this entire movement depict?
a "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath"
Match each movement to the description Berlioz includes in the score for his Symphonie fantastique.
A dance in which the beloved is glimpsed for a moment -Movement II A shepherds' duet inspires anxiety -Movement III The artist is punished for committing a crime of passion -Movement IV The young musician's passionate daydream about love and suffering -Movement I The creatures of the underworld introduce the musician's eternal resting place =movement V
Match each movement to the description Berlioz describes in the score for his Symphonie fantastique.
A shepherds' duet inspires anxiety movement III The creatures of the underworld introduce the musician's eternal resting place movement V The young musician's passionate daydream about love and suffering movement I The artist is punished for committing a crime of passion movement IV A dance in which the beloved is glimpsed for a moment movement II
Which of the following is true about Hector Berlioz and which is not?
He won the Prix de Rome. Some of his works have a literary basis.
Which of the following are true about Hector Berlioz? Which are false?
He won the Prix de Rome. Some of his works have a literary basis. He was a genius at orchestration.
- music evokes images and ideas and is distinguished from - music, which consists of music without literary or pictorial meanings.
Program, absolute
Drag and drop the appropriate words to describe the fourth movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique.
The fourth movement is built upon two main themes: a(n) descending minor scale in the low strings and a diabolically exuberant march tune in the brass and woodwinds. At the very end of the movement, the idée fixe appears in the clarinet, one last recollection of the beloved before the fall of the guillotine's blade.
Drag and drop the appropriate words that describe this excerpt from the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique.
The full orchestral fortissimo dynamic that begins this passage signals the arrival of the Beloved with a diabolical brass fanfare.
Drag and drop the appropriate words that describe this excerpt from the fifth movement of Symphonie fantastique.
This short passage enters and evokes the "bells toll for the dead" slightly before the Dies irae chant theme is heard for the first time.
Listen to the following four excerpts and then click on the corresponding cards in the order in which they appear in the fifth movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique. Excerpt X (chant) 0:20 Excerpt Y (allegro) 0:08 Excerpt Z (dance) 1:03
Y, X, Z
Listen to the following four excerpts and then click on the corresponding cards in the order in which they first appear in the fifth movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique. Excerpt X (fast chant) 0:10 Excerpt Y (slow chant) 0:20 Excerpt Z (burlesque)
Y, X, Z
Listen to the following four excerpts and then click on the corresponding cards in the order in which they appear in the fifth movement of Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique. Excerpt X (dance-chant) 1:52 Excerpt Y (bell tolls) 0:17 Excerpt Z (unearthly sounds) 1:26
Z, Y, X
Listen to each excerpt from the fifth movement of Symphonie Fantastique. Then drag each excerpt to the appropriate sentence from the excerpt of the program. Excerpt W 1:03 Excerpt X 0:06 Excerpt Y 0:17 Excerpt Z 0:11
Z, Y, X, W
Which of the following describes the performing forces heard in the fifth movement of Symphonie Fantastique?
a large orchestra with strings, winds, brass, and percussion
What instrument plays a countermelody in the first appearance of Theme A?
bassoon