Full Description
Hector Berlioz (1803-69) was one of the most original and colourful composers of his generation whose music was in many ways ahead of its time. He was also a respected journalist and critic. Begun in 1848, his celebrated Memoires were completed by 1865 but published posthumously in 1870. They are the best-known of his writings and reflect the man - passionate, imaginative, idealistic, opinionated and witty - and give a fascinating, first-hand, insight into his life. He shares his uncompromising thoughts on his contemporaries and the musical establishment in France, writes candidly about his love affairs and engagingly on his music and travels. This first English translation from the original French, published in 1884, will appeal to the music lover and the general reader. Volume 1 covers his early musical training and travels in Italy. Volume 2 includes travels to Germany and Russia.
Contents
Volume 1First music lessons from my father; 5. A year of medical studies; 6. I become one of Lesueur's pupils; 7. A first opera; 8. Augustin de Pons; 9. First interview with Cherubini; 10. My father withdraws my allowance; 11. I return to Paris; 12. I compete for a place as chorus singer, and get it; 13. First composition for the orchestra; 14. Competition at the Conservatoire; 15. Evenings at the Opera; 16. Weber at the Odeon; 17. Prejudice against operas with Italian words; 18. Shakespeare; 19. A futile concert; 20. Beethoven at the Conservatoire; 21. Fatality; 22. The competition for musical composition; 23. The Academy porter; 24. Miss Smithson again; 25. My third trial at the Conservatoire; 26. I read Goethe's Faust for the first time; 27. Fantasia on The Tempest; 28. A violent distraction; 29. Fourth competition at the Conservatoire; 30. Distribution of prizes at the Conservatoire; 31. My second concert; 32. Marseilles to Leghorn; 33. The scholars of the Academy; 34. Drama; 35. The theatres at Genoa and Florence; 36. Life at the Academy; 37. Sport in the mountains; 38. Subiaco; 39. Life of a musician in Rome; 40. The spleen; 41. Naples; 42. Influenza in Rome; 43. Florence; 44. The Censorship; 45. Benefit and concert at the Theatre Italien; 46. An order for a requiem; 47. Performance of my Lacrymosa at Lille; 48. Mdlle. Bertin's Esmeralda; 49. Concert of December 16, 1838; 50. Order from M. de Remusat to write the Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale; 51. Brussels. Volume 2: Part I. First Visit to Germany (1841-2): 52. Brussels; 53. Stuttgart-Hechingen; 54. Mannheim-Weimar; 55. Leipzig; 56. Dresden; 57. Brunswick-Hamburg; 58. Berlin; 59. Berlin; 60. Berlin; 61. Hanover-Darmstadt; 62. I get up Freyschutz for the Opera; 63. The horrors of Feuilleton writing; Part II. Second Visit to Germany (Austria-Bohemia-Hungary): 64. Vienna; 65. Vienna; 66. Pesth; 67. Prague; 68. Prague; 69. Prague; 70. Concert at Breslau; Part III. Russian Journey: 71. A musical courier; 72. Return to St. Petersburg; 73. My return; 74. Roqueplan and Duponchel, directors of the Opera; 75. My father's death; 76. Death of my sister; Postscript; Supplement; The last chapter of all; Appendix.
