Autograph musical quotation from the composer's masterpiece, the Symphonie Fantastique. Signed. Together with quotations by Roger, Adam, and Halévy
15 measures, titled and signed below the music: "Thème e Bal e La Symphonie Fantastique. H. Berlioz." Undated, but ca. 1840-1850. The complete main theme of the second movement, "Un Bal," carried by the violins in measures 38 to 54 of the full score. 1 leaf. Notated in dark brown ink within decorative dark gold borders on Lard-Esnault paper. Oblong quarto (227 x 300 mm).
With:
- Gustave-Hippolyte Roger (1825-1879). Autograph musical quotation signed "G. Roger," being a 12-measure song for voice and piano commencing "d'autiens tu beau miage sur les ailes du vent?," to lower portion of recto.
With, to verso:
- Adolphe Adam (1803-1856). Autograph musical quotation signed "Ad. Adam," being a 16-measure waltz for piano
- Fromental Halévy (1799-1862). Autograph musical quotation signed "F. Halévy," being a 22-measure work for piano titled "Suite"
"The composition of the 'Symphonie fantastique' was a momentous event in Berlioz's career, his first full-scale masterpiece, and equally momentous in the history of music as the first unequivocal declaration of romantic ideas in style and musical language, and its echo has pervaded all music of passion and personal experience to this day ... Of Harriet Smithson's identity as the 'beloved', portrayed by an 'idée fixe' in the form of an obsessive theme that recurs in all the movements, there can be no question." MacDonald: Berlioz, p. 18.
A unique artifact incorporating a rare quotation from one of the most outstanding works of the symphonic repertoire of the Romantic period, the whole uniting four of the most prominent French musical figures of the mid-19th century.
Item #39291
Price: $16,500.00 other currencies