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Berlioz

This series delves into the life and work of one of the 19th century's most innovative composers. It traces his formative years from a provincial upbringing to his tumultuous rise in the Parisian music scene. The narratives explore his internal struggles, artistic ambitions, and complex personal relationships that fueled his revolutionary compositions. It's a compelling portrait of an artist who forever altered the landscape of classical music.

Berlioz: The making of an artist 1803-1832

Recommended Reading Order

  1. 1

    No artist's achievement connects more directly with early experience than that of Berlioz. David Cairns draws on a wealth of family papers to recreate in authentic and intimate detail the provincial milieu of Berlioz's boyhood, showing how the son of a village doctor was already transforming himself into the composer of the Fantastic Symphony. Berlioz's desperate attempts to win his father's approval for his vocation, his struggles to establish himself on the Parisian musical scene, and his passionate pursuit of love are all brought vividly to life in this first volume of David Cairns's award-winning biography.

    Berlioz: The making of an artist 1803-1832