HarvardX: First Nights - Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Program Music in the 19th Century

HarvardX: First Nights - Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Program Music in the 19th Century

by Harvard University

This music course, offered by HarvardX, dives into Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, exploring its music and narrative elements that marked a new direction in 19th-century music. Harvard's professor Thomas Forrest Kelly guides students through a detailed analysis of the symphony, discussing Berlioz's innovative compositional techniques, orchestration, and the broader cultural reception of this controversial piece. The course culminates with a live performance by the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra.

  • Understand the stylistic features characteristic of Romantic music, particularly program music.
  • Gain insights into the technical aspects of composition and orchestration in the 19th century.
  • Appreciate the cultural context and conditions under which Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique was performed and received.

No specific prerequisites are required for this introductory level course, making it accessible to anyone interested in music and its history.

  • Introduction to Romantic musical style and its characteristics.
  • Detailed analysis of Berlioz’s compositional process and orchestration techniques.
  • Exploration of the concept and debates around musical narrative in the 19th century.
  • Interactive examination of a live performance of Symphonie Fantastique.

This course is designed for students, educators, and music enthusiasts who are interested in understanding the evolution of music in the 19th century, especially those keen on Romantic music and its narrative capabilities.

Knowledge gained from this course can be applied in various fields including music education, performance, and criticism. Learners can use their understanding of romantic music and compositional techniques in curating performances, teaching music history, or contributing to scholarly discussions about music’s role in cultural contexts.

  • Introduction to Berlioz and the Romantic era.
  • Analysis of Symphonie Fantastique: Movements, themes, and orchestral techniques.
  • Understanding narrative in music: Historical context and Berlioz's innovation.
  • Live performance analysis.
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