Berlioz Poster

HECTOR BERLIOZ (1803-1869)

Yet another giant! A composer never truly recognised in his native France who turned out to be one of the greatest innovators of his time. Few people perceive Berlioz as being a nearly 19th century composer, writing while Beethoven was still living. He burst the dam gates of romanticism with the Symphonie Fantastique. He built the programme symphony leading to the symphonic poem; he shook the world with the Grande Messedes Morts with its extra brass choirs; he turned Shakespeare into music with his dramatic symphony Romeo and Juliet; Goethe into concert drama with The Damnation of Faust and Virgil into opera with The Trojans, and much more.

Mondays from 10 am to 12 noon in the Recital Room

Blackheath Halls:

April 15, 22, 29 – May 13, 20

June 3, 10, 17, 24 – July 1

Course fee: £75

For further details contact:

Lionel Lewis on 020 8297 1075

e mail: [email protected]

DIARY FOR THE BENJAMIN BRITTEN CENTENARY SERIES

A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF BRITTEN (1913 – 76)

 A ten week exploration of selected works by this much admired but still controversial composer.

1

7 January

The emergence of the young genius: Selected works from the 1930’s

 Sinfonietta, Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto

Frank Bridge Variations

2

14 January

A natural symphonist? A survey of  Sinfonia da Requiem, Simple Symphony, Spring Symphony, Cello Symphony

3

21 January

British Opera awakened – “Peter Grimes”

4

28 January

Grand Opera – “Billy Budd”

5

4 February

Britten and Shakespeare – “Midsummer Night’s Dream”

6

11 February

Britten – the String Quartet and instrumental solo music

7

18 February

Chamber Opera – “The Turn of the Screw”

 

25 February

No Lecture

8

4 March

Orchestral song cycles – “Serenade for Tenor Horn and Strings” and “Nocturne”

9

11 March

(1)  “St Nicholas” and other Gems

(2)  Composer David Matthews who worked with Britten talks about the Man and the Music.

10

18 March

War Requiem