Louis Hector Berlioz

From Philosopedia

Berlioz, Louis Hector (11 December 1803 - 8 March 1869)

Berlioz was born in Dauphine, France. His mother was Roman Catholic. His physician-father expected Hector, who had a musical affinity, to follow in his footsteps. Repelled by the crude medicine of his day, Berlioz turned from medical studies to music when his cantata won a Conservatoire prize. He was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1830.

The passionate composer was highly influenced by Shakespeare, writing three major works on Shakespearean themes. He was also influenced by Byron and by Goethe's Faust.

He married actress Harriet Smithson. Now considered the father of French Romanticism, Berlioz was discouraged by French critics at the time, despite major compositions such as Symphonie Fantastique (1830), Harold en Italie, Romeo and Juliette, and overtures to King Lear and Rob Roy. In fact, his works were so original and sweeping that many regarded Berlioz as a musical lunatic.

He was forced to become a music critic to support himself. Gradually, Berlioz found his recognition abroad, and he toured throughout the 1840s and 1850s.

Berlioz, who obtained fame by his dramatic symphony, Romeo and Juliet (1839), was made chevalier of the Legion of Honor.

The non-liturgical oratorio The Childhood of Christ was completed in 1854. Berlioz’s ideas of orchestration influenced many later composers.

Although the Catholic Encyclopaedia claims Berlioz was a Catholic, Joseph McCabe states that Berlioz often admitted in his letters that he was an atheist.

In G. K. Boult’s Life of Berlioz (1903), a letter is included which was written shortly before the French composer died and in which he says, “I believe nothing.” Earlier, in his Memoirs, Berlioz related how he scandalized Mendelssohn “by laughing at the Bible.” He also scandalized others by his well-publicized love affairs.

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