Berlioz: SymphonieFantastique Movement 2: Un Bal

INTRODUCTION

THEME

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INSTS

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BAR

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FEATURES

Waltz accompaniment

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Tremolo strings

2 harps/cello/DB arpeggios

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1

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A ballroom scene is established with 3/8 time

Long Crescendo

EXPOSITION (A)

THEME

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INSTS

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BAR

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FEATURES

Theme 1 / Violins 1 / 39 /

Theme 1 (Waltz) including the sigh motif

Link / Harp & lower strings / 54 /

Harp & lower strings

Theme 2 / Violins 2 / 56 / Theme 2 including sigh and heartbeat motifs
2 x 5-bar phrases
2nd phrase a variation of the first phrase
Vlns 2 & vlas tremolo pizzicato/harp arpeggios
Link / Flute & Clarinet / 66 /

Ascending staccato scale

Theme 3 / All strings / 68 / A falling sequence of repeated notes covering the interval of a 7th
Theme 3 in canon / Violins 1 & cello / 78 / Version of theme 3 consisting of a repeated turning figure played in canon by vln 1 & cello
Vln 2 & vla play pizzicato
Theme 1 extended / Violins 1 / 92 / Theme 1 extended in sequence. Strings, harp & woodwind alternate on each quaver beat.

EPISODE (B)

THEME

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BAR

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INSTS

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FEATURES

116 / Tremolo strings /
Pppp – Presque rien
Idee fixe / 120 / Flute & Oboe / Key of F (unrelated key)
Tremolo string accompaniment
Staccato arpeggios on cellos and double basses
Idee fixe / 128 / Flute and clarinet / String accompaniment gradually introduces snippets of theme 1 (waltz theme)
Texture becomes contrapuntal
160 / Horn - held E / Dominant pedal note E on Horn brings tonality back to A major
Heartbeat motif played by wind and strings

RECAPITULATION (A)

THEME

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BAR

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INSTS

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FEATURES

Theme 1 / 175 / Vln 2/Vla/Cello / Vlns 2 play theme 1
Vlns 1 play ornamental motif;
Cellos & Basses pizzicato pedal note;
Woodwind repeated notes
Harp arpeggios enhance texture
Theme 2 / 193 / Vlns 1 & 2 and Vla / Rich harp accompaniment based on arpeggios
2 bar link / 203 / Flute/Clarinet / Staccato scale
Cello –descending scale
Theme 3 / 205 / Woodwind / Theme 3 played by woodwind
Ascending & descending arpeggios on pizzicato strings
Theme 3 repeated in canon / 215 / Vlns2/Cello/Woodwind / Theme 3 canon between Vln 1, cello, clarinet and flute
Ends with descending woodwind scale followed by a silent bar
Theme 1 / 233 / Woodwind / All woodwind play theme 1
Pizz lower strings
Vlns 1 – repeated notes heartbeat motif
Syncopated horn motif
CODA

THEME

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BAR

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INSTS

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FEATURES

Theme 3 / 257 / Tutti /

Woodwind plays snippets of theme 3

Theme 2 / 265 / Tutti / Strings play snippets of heartbeat motif from theme 2
Theme 3 / 286 / Tutti / Vlns 1 & woodwind play turning theme from theme 3
Idee Fixe / 302 / Solo Clarinet / Solo clarinet plays idée fixe accompanied by held note on horn and one descending arpeggio on harp
Theme 1 / 320 / Tutti / Snippets of theme 1 are heard through a dense chordal texture ending the movement on a triumphant note

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