Hector Berlioz short biography. Hector Berlioz: biography, interesting facts, creativity The life and career of Mr. Berlioz

MAIN DATES OF THE LIFE AND CREATIVITY OF I. A. BRODSKII 1940, May 24 - was born in Leningrad, in Professor Tour's clinic on the Vyborg side. Father Alexander Ivanovich Brodsky (1903-1984) was a military photojournalist, naval officer, demobilized in 1950, after that he worked

Hector Berlioz remained in the history of music as bright representative the romantic era of the 19th century, which managed to connect music with other art forms.

Childhood

Hector Berlioz was born on December 11, 1803 in a small French town near Grenoble. The mother of the future composer was a zealous Catholic, and his father was a staunch atheist. Louis-Joseph Berlioz did not recognize any authorities and tried to instill his views in children. It was he who influenced the formation of the vital interests of the eldest child in the family - Hector. By profession a doctor, Louis-Joseph was interested in art, philosophy, and literature. The father instilled in the boy a love of music and taught him to play the guitar and flute. However, he saw the future of his son in medicine. That is why Berlioz Sr. did not teach Hector to play the piano, believing that this could distract him from his main goal - to become a doctor.

Folk songs, myths, chants of the church choir in the local monastery became vivid impressions childhood of the future composer. The real interest in music was fully manifested in Hector at the age of 12. Spending a lot of time in his father's library, he received musical knowledge on his own. This is how Berlioz was gradually formed as a composer, who was supposed to make a revolution in music.

Studies

At the age of 18, after graduating high school in his native Grenoble and having received a bachelor's degree, Hector Berlioz, at the insistence of his father, went to Paris to enter the medical faculty. The passion for music did not leave the young man, and he spent more time in the library of the Paris Conservatory than in the classrooms of the university. Moreover, having visited for the first time the young man began to feel disgust for medicine. Later, Hector Berlioz began to take lessons from a professor at the conservatory in the theory of composition. The first public performance took place in 1825. The Parisians heard the Solemn Mass. Berlioz's life changed little after that, as the young composer could not immediately win the hearts of the inhabitants French capital. Moreover, many critics were extremely negative about the Mass.

Despite this, the young man, finally realizing that music for him is the main occupation of life, left medicine in 1826 and entered the conservatory, which he successfully graduated in 1830.

Journalism

Berlioz's first work in journalism appeared in 1823. Gradually he enters artistic life Paris. There is a rapprochement with Balzac, Dumas, Heine, Chopin and other prominent representatives of the creative intelligentsia. For a long time, Berlioz tried himself in the field of music criticism.

Life in Paris

In 1827, an English theater troupe toured the capital of France. Berlioz fell in love with talented actress Troupe Harriet Smithson. She was very popular with the public, and the little-known conservatory student had little interest in her. Wanting to draw attention to himself, Berlioz began to achieve fame in the musical field. At this time, he writes cantatas, songs and other works, but fame does not come, and Harriet does not pay attention to Berlioz. In material terms, his life is not arranged. Official music critics did not favor Berlioz; his works were often met with misunderstanding by his contemporaries. Three times he was denied a scholarship, giving the right to travel to Rome. However, after graduating from the conservatory, Berlioz nevertheless received it.

Marriage and personal life

Having received a scholarship, Berlioz leaves for Italy for three years. In Rome, he meets the Russian composer Mikhail Glinka.

In 1832, while in Paris, Berlioz again met Harriet Smithson. By this time her theatrical life came to sunset. Public interest in the performances of the English troupe began to decline. In addition, an accident happened to the actress - she is now a young woman no longer the windy coquette she was before, and she is no longer afraid of the routine of marriage.

A year later they get married, but Hector Berlioz very soon realizes that lack of money is one of the most insidious enemies of love. He has to work all day to provide for his family, and only one night remains for creativity.

Overall personal life famous composer hard to call happy. After he left his studies at the Faculty of Medicine, there was a break with his father, who wanted to see only a doctor in his son. As for Harriet, she was not ready to endure hardship, and they soon parted. Having married for the second time, Hector Berlioz, whose biography is full of tragic pages, does not indulge in the joys of a calm life for long. family life and remains a widower. On top of all the misfortunes, the only son from his first marriage dies in a shipwreck.

Berlioz as a conductor

The only thing that saves a musician from despair is his creativity. Berlioz toured Europe extensively as a conductor, performing both his own works and those of his contemporaries. He has the greatest success in Russia, where he comes twice. He performs in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Hector Berlioz: works

The composer's work did not receive a worthy assessment from his contemporaries. Only after the death of Berlioz did it become clear that the world had lost musical genius, whose works were full of faith in the triumph of justice and humanistic ideas.

Most famous works The author was the symphony "Harold in Italy" and "Corsair", inspired by the passion for Byron's work during his life in Italy, and "Romeo and Juliet", in which he expressed his understanding of the tragedy of Shakespeare's heroes. The composer created a lot of such works that were written on the topic of the day. For example, such was the cantata "Greek Revolution", dedicated to the fight against the Ottoman yoke.

But the main work, thanks to which Hector Berlioz became famous, is the Fantastic Symphony, written in 1830. It was after its premiere that the most progressive critics turned their attention to Berlioz.

As conceived by the author, a young musician tries to poison himself because of unrequited love. However, the dose of opium is small, and the hero falls into a dream. In his sick imagination, feelings and memories turn into musical images, and the girl becomes a melody heard from everywhere. The idea of ​​the symphony is largely autobiographical, and many contemporaries considered the girl Harriet to be the prototype.

Now you know what biography Berlioz had. The composer was ahead of his time, and the whole depth of his work was revealed to amateurs classical music and specialists only after many years. In addition, the composer became an innovator in the field of orchestration and in the sharing of some instruments that had not previously been used in solo parts.

XCHARACTERISTICS OF CREATIVITYBERLIOS

Hector Berlioz(12/11/1803, Côte-Saint-Andre, France, - 3/8/1869, Paris). Born in the family of a doctor, a free-thinking, enlightened person. In 1821, Berlioz became a medical student, but soon, despite the resistance of his parents, he left medicine, deciding to devote himself to music. In 1826-1830. Berlioz studies at the Paris Conservatoire under J. F. Lesueur and A. Reicha. Received the Prix de Rome (1830) for the cantata Sardanapalus. Returning to Paris in 1832, he studied composing, conducting, critical activity. From 1842 he toured abroad a lot. He performed triumphantly as a conductor and composer in Russia (1847, 1867-1868).

Berlioz is a bright representative of romanticism in music. Berlioz was an innovative artist: he boldly introduced innovations in the field of musical form, harmony and especially instrumentation (in the field of orchestration Berlioz was an outstanding master), gravitated towards theatricalization symphonic music and the grandiose scale of compositions.

The work of Berlioz also reflected the contradictions inherent in romanticism. In 1826, the cantata "Greek Revolution" was written, which became a response to the liberation struggle of the Greek people. Berlioz greeted the July Revolution of 1830 with enthusiasm: on the streets of Paris, he learned revolutionary songs with the people, including the Marseillaise, which he had arranged for the choir and orchestra. Revolutionary themes were reflected in a number of major works by Berlioz: the grandiose Requiem (1837) was created in memory of the heroes of the July Revolution. However, Berlioz did not accept the Revolution of 1848. IN last years life, Berlioz was more and more inclined towards moral problems; at this time he created the oratorio trilogy "Childhood of Christ" (1854) and opera dilogy"Trojans" according to Virgil ("The Capture of Troy" and "Trojans in Carthage", 1855-1859).

Berlioz's style was already defined in the Fantastic Symphony (1830, subtitled "An Episode from the Artist's Life"). This famous work by Berlioz is the first romantic software symphony. It reflects typical moods of that time (conflict with reality, exaggerated emotionality and sensitivity). The subjective experiences of the artist rise in the symphony to social generalizations: the theme of "unhappy love" acquires the meaning of the tragedy of lost illusions. Following the "Symphony" Berlioz writes the monodrama "Lelio, or Return to Life" (1831 - continuation of the "Symphony").

Berlioz was attracted by the plots of works by Byron (symphony for viola and orchestra "Harold in Italy" - 1834, overture "Corsair" - 1844) and Shakespeare (overture "King Lear" - 1831, dramatic symphony "Romeo and Juliet" - 1839, comic opera "Beatrice and Benedict" - 1862). He also loved Goethe (dramatic legend (oratorio) "The Condemnation of Faust" - 1846). Berlioz also owns the opera Benvenuto Cellini (staged in 1838), cantatas, orchestral overtures, romances, etc.

Berlioz was an outstanding conductor. Berlioz also made a significant contribution to the development of musical critical thought. He was the first among foreign critics to appreciate the importance of M. I. Glinka (an article about Glinka - 1845) and Russian music in general.

« FANTASTIC SYMPHONY"

1) The symphony is inspired by the story of Berlioz's passionate love for the actress Smithson. This symphony brought him success and fame. Symphony software(i.e., it has a plot) and consists of five parts. The same theme runs through all the parts - keynote sweetheart. In itself, this topic is inflated and controversial. It begins with a fanfare intonation. The theme is constantly transforming, as are the visions of the hero.

2) The orchestra is standard, but the composition of the brass and shock group, unusual instruments are used, for example, cor anglais, clarinet in Es, ophikleid (second tuba), bells (with pianoforte), etc.

3) Composition:

1st part– “Dreams. Passion. (The plot: the main character takes the drug, and he begins to hallucinate.) The entire first part is permeated with the leitmotif of the beloved. Starts with a slow intro in character lamento(c- mall), the main tone C- dur.

2nd part- "Bal". For the first time Berlioz introduced into the symphony waltz. Two soloists harps. The leitmotif of the beloved in the middle, in key F major.

3rd part- Scene in the fields. Inspired by Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. The most static part. Framing - roll call of two shepherds (cor anglais and oboe). At the end - distant peals of thunder (4 timpani solo).

4th part- "Procession to the execution." Main theme - g- mall. Introduction - sinister timbre of horns with mute. 2nd theme - solemn march ( B- dur). All the time - a clear rhythm of the timpani (two timpani). At the end - the initial intonation of the leitmotif (clarinet solo, pp ), then a blow (execution) and deafening fanfare ( G- dur; tremolo bass and snare drums in the orchestra).

5th part- "Dream on the Night of the Sabbath." Witches flock to the funeral of the protagonist, among them in witch guise is his beloved. This is the most innovative part. It has several episodes: 1) Collection of witches; chaos in the orchestra and individual exclamations of instruments. 2) Arrives she. Universal joy and then a wild dance (solo Es- clarinet). 3) Black Mass: Bell Ringing, A Parody of the Canon Dies Iræ . 4) Witch dance. In episodes - strings play col legno(shaft of the bow).

Let the silver thread of fantasy wind around the chain of rules.
R. Schumann

G. Berlioz is one of the greatest composers and the greatest innovators of the 19th century. He went down in history as the creator of programmatic symphonism, which had a profound and fruitful influence on the entire subsequent development of romantic art. For France, the birth of a national symphonic culture is associated with the name of Berlioz. Berlioz is a musician of a wide profile: composer, conductor, music critic, who defended the advanced, democratic ideals in art, generated by the spiritual atmosphere of the July Revolution of 1830. The childhood of the future composer proceeded in a favorable atmosphere. His father, a doctor by profession, instilled in his son a taste for literature, art, and philosophy. Under the influence of his father's atheistic convictions, his progressive, democratic views, Berlioz's worldview took shape. But for musical development As a boy, the conditions of a provincial town were very modest. He studied flute and guitar, and the only musical impression was church singing - Sunday solemn masses, which he loved very much. Berlioz's passion for music manifested itself in his attempt to compose. These were small plays and romances. The melody of one of the romances subsequently entered as a leitteme in the "Fantastic" symphony.

In 1821, Berlioz went to Paris at the insistence of his father to enter the Medical School. But medicine does not attract a young man. Fascinated by music, he dreams of a professional music education. In the end, Berlioz makes an independent decision to leave science for the sake of art, and this incurs the wrath of his parents, who did not consider music a worthy profession. They deprive their son of any material support, and from now on future composer can only rely on himself. However, believing in his destiny, he turns all his strength, energy and enthusiasm to mastering the profession on his own. He lives like Balzac's heroes half-starving, in attics, but he never misses a single performance at the opera, and that's it. free time spends in the library, studying the scores.

Since 1823, Berlioz began to take private lessons from J. Lesueur, the most prominent composer of the era of the Great french revolution. It was he who instilled in his student a taste for monumental art forms designed for a mass audience. In 1825, Berlioz, having shown an outstanding organizational talent, arranges a public performance of his first major work - the Great Mass. IN next year he composes the heroic scene "Greek Revolution", this work opened a whole direction in his work, associated with revolutionary themes. Feeling the need to acquire deeper professional knowledge, in 1826 Berlioz entered the Paris Conservatory in Lesueur's composition class and A. Reicha's counterpoint class. Great importance to form the aesthetics of a young artist, he has communication with outstanding representatives of literature and art, among them - O. Balzac, V. Hugo, G. Heine, T. Gauthier, A. Dumas, George Sand, F. Chopin, F. Liszt, N. Paganini. With Liszt, he is connected by personal friendship, a commonality of creative searches and interests. Subsequently, Liszt would become an ardent promoter of Berlioz's music.

In 1830, Berlioz created the "Fantastic Symphony" with the subtitle: "An Episode from the Life of an Artist." She opens new era programmatic romantic symphonism, becoming a masterpiece of the world musical culture. The program was written by Berlioz and is based on the fact of the biography of the composer himself - romantic story his love for the English dramatic actress Henrietta Smithson. However, autobiographical motifs in musical generalization acquire the significance of the general romantic theme of the artist's loneliness in modern world and more broadly - themes of "lost illusions".

1830 was a turbulent year for Berlioz. Participating for the fourth time in the competition for the Rome Prize, he finally won, submitting the cantata "The Last Night of Sardanapalus" to the jury. The composer finishes his work to the sounds of the uprising that began in Paris and, straight from the competition, goes to the barricades to join the rebels. In the following days, having orchestrated and transcribed the Marseillaise for a double choir, he rehearses it with the people in the squares and streets of Paris.

Berlioz spends 2 years as a Roman scholarship holder at the Villa Medici. Returning from Italy, he unfolds vigorous activity conductor, composer, music critic, but encounters a complete rejection of his innovative work from the official circles of France. And it predetermined his whole later life full of deprivation and material difficulties. Berlioz's main source of income is musical critical work. Articles, reviews, musical short stories, feuilletons were subsequently published in several collections: "Music and Musicians", "Musical Grotesques", "Evenings in the Orchestra". Central location in literary heritage Berlioz was occupied with Memoirs - the composer's autobiography, written in a brilliant literary style and giving a wide panorama of artistic and musical life Paris of those years. A huge contribution to musicology was the theoretical work of Berlioz "Treatise on Instrumentation" (with the appendix - "Orchestra Conductor").

In 1834, the second program symphony "Harold in Italy" appeared (based on the poem by J. Byron). The developed part of the solo viola gives this symphony the features of a concerto. 1837 was marked by the birth of one of Berlioz's greatest creations, the Requiem, created in memory of the victims of the July Revolution. In the history of this genre, Berlioz's Requiem is a unique work that combines monumental fresco and refined psychological style; marches, songs in the spirit of the music of the French Revolution side by side now with heartfelt romantic lyrics, now with the strict, ascetic style of medieval Gregorian chant. The Requiem was written for a grandiose cast of 200 choristers and an extended orchestra with four additional groups wind instruments. In 1839 Berlioz finished work on the third program symphony"Romeo and Juliet" (based on the tragedy by W. Shakespeare). This masterpiece symphonic music, the most original creation of Berlioz, is a synthesis of symphony, opera, oratorio and allows not only concert, but also stage performance.

In 1840, the "Funeral and Triumphal Symphony" appeared, intended for outdoor performance. It is dedicated to the solemn ceremony of transferring the ashes of the heroes of the uprising of 1830 and vividly resurrects the traditions of theatrical performances of the Great French Revolution.

Romeo and Juliet is joined by the dramatic legend The Damnation of Faust (1846), also based on a synthesis of the principles of program symphonism and theatrical stage music. "Faust" by Berlioz - the first musical reading philosophical drama I. V. Goethe, which laid the foundation for numerous subsequent interpretations of it: in the opera (Ch. Gounod), in the symphony (Liszt, G. Mahler), in symphonic poem(R. Wagner), in vocal and instrumental music (R. Schumann). Peru Berlioz also owns the oratorio trilogy The Childhood of Christ (1854), several program overtures(“King Lear” - 1831, “Roman Carnival” - 1844, etc.), 3 operas (“Benvenuto Cellini” - 1838, the dilogy “Trojans” - 1856-63, “Beatrice and Benedict” - 1862) and whole line vocal and instrumental compositions in different genres.

Berlioz lived tragic life, and not having achieved recognition in their homeland. The last years of his life were dark and lonely. The only bright memories of the composer were associated with trips to Russia, which he visited twice (1847, 1867-68). Only there did he achieve brilliant success with the public, real recognition among composers and critics. Last letter dying Berlioz was addressed to his friend - the famous Russian critic V. Stasov.