Music Review for SSO concert (Symphonie Fantastique) on 5 March 2016

Regina Liu 4T 6/3/16

In 250 words, highlight the characteristics of Berliozs Symphonie Fantastique and explain how
is different from a conventional symphony. Include some characteristics of the period that you
can hear from the music.

Berliozs Symphonie Fantastique employs various unconventional techniques, which are

especially prominent in the fifth movement of the piece. Unlike the usual symphonies we hear,
Symphonie Fantastique comprises of five movements in total instead of four, and also includes
the harp as part of the second movement. This piece consists of a waltz and a march, too, being
the second and fourth movements respectively.

The first movement is described to be about a young artist feeling despair and elation at the
same time, which is brought out by the constantly alternating and contrasting moods played by
the orchestra. This is comparatively common in the romantic era where the mood of the piece
changes frequently. To demonstrate elation, the music is played with forte and emphasized by
the piccolo and timpani, which are instruments that were increasingly popular in the romantic
period. To demonstrate sadness, the orchestra is sometimes led by the oboe and mainly
consisted of strings as the background. During this period, the brass and percussion section
refrains from playing.

In the fifth movement, the one of the most unconventional and unique movements ever written
up to this date, describes a dream filled with supernatural beings. Their strange noises are
brought out by various extended techniques, e.g. the violins play col legno (the striking of strings
with the stick of a bow). Berlioz also added tubular bells into the piece to represent the funeral,
which is one of the first times tubular bells are used in classical music. To give off an eerily
haunting feeling, the woodwind instruments imitate bird-like whistles or fluctuating noises
(providing a sense of one spiralling downwards). On the other hand, the brass instruments play
loudly on regular beats which overpowers the rest of the orchestra. This becomes increasingly
common in the romantic era where most of the brass instruments are introduced.
 Bach Essay Question
Regina Liu 4T

(1) Give an account of Bachs career by mentioning the different places that he worked at and
his major compositions during each period of his life. Briefly describe two works that Bach
composed at different places of work.

In the first five years (1703-08) after graduating from St. Michaels School in Lneburg, Bach
took up the position of a court musician in Weimar. Just seven months into his tenure at Weimar,
his reputation as a keyboardist grew so much that he was given an invitation to inspect the new
organ and give a recital at the New Church in Arnstadt. Soon after, he became the organist at
New Church who was given light duties, a generous salary and a new organ for his use.
However, tension was gradually built up between Bach and the authorities after a few years at
the job, with Bach being unpleased at the standard of singers in the choir and his employer
upset by his unauthorised absence from Arnstadt. This was because he had gone to visit a
famous organist and composer Dieterich Buxtehude in the city of Lbeck for a few months,
reportedly on foot. Thus, in 1706, Bach took up the post of an organist at St. Blasiuss Church in
Mhlhausen for 2 more years for improved conditions, better choir and a higher remuneration
before his return to Weimar.

Bach returned to Weimar in 1708 and became the director of music in 1714 at the ducal court
where he had the privilege of working with a large group of professional musicians. It was in
Weimar where he started composing for a sustained period of time for keyboard and orchestral
works. During this period of time, he learnt to write dramatic openings and employ various
harmonic schemes derived from famous composers into his own music. Later, he composed a
series of preludes and fugues which were afterwards compiled into one of his most recognised
works- The Well-Tempered Clavier, consisting a total of 24 preludes and fugues in each major
and minor key. The Well-Tempered Clavier comes in 2 parts and is regarded as one of the most
influential works in the history of Western classical music. Sadly, Bach eventually fell out of
favour and moved on to Kthen.

In 1717, Bach was hired as a director of music under Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Kthen who
greatly appreciated Bachs musical talents. During this period of time, most of Bachs music was
secular, including his cello suites and the well-known Brandenburg Concertos. Afterwards, Bach
was appointed as musical director of the Thomanerchor in 1723 at Leipzig to compose and play
music for the 4 churches in the city. During this period of time, a cantata was required by for
church services on Sundays, thus Bach performed his most of his own music which he had
composed in the first three years of his stay in Leipzig. His last work was the Mass in B minor,
which is known as Bachs most universal church work and the greatest choral works of all time.
Mass in B minor consists of 27 sections and is structured in four parts. The Sanctus for this
piece of music is scored for 6 choirs and the rich instrumentation of brass, woodwinds and
strings are required in certain areas of the music. Bach spent a good 27 years at Leipzig till his
death.