Hector Berlioz:
Symphonie fantastique

MTT
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Michael Tilson Thomas

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Music Fueled by Desire
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"I feel therefore I am." For Hector Berlioz, and for the Romantic movement he personified, those were words to live by. But with the unprecedented outpouring of emotion in his Symphonie fantastique he almost overpowered Paris. This orchestral sonic spectacular, written to win the heart of a beautiful actress, demanded sacrifice from its author and his audience. From romantic daydreams to deadly displays of devotion, the symphony relates an “episode in the life of an artist,” that artist being the love-obsessed composer himself. Join Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony as they follow Berlioz to the brink in this episode of Keeping Score.

Upcoming Broadcasts

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10pm
Ives: Holidays Symphony
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 10pm
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 10pm
Check local listings

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The music from Keeping Score is also available.

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AIR-DATE
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10pm
TAGS
Berlioz, French, Romantic
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Comments

echeng
March 11, 2010
All of the Keeping Score DVDs include a 1-hour documentary episode explaining the music guided by MTT, plus a full concert performance of the same work. Enjoy! Edie Cheng (Electronic Media Manager)
David G. Walsh (not verified)
March 11, 2010
After years of falling in love with the Symphonie Fantastique, & reading all I could find available concerning its epic story-line - FINALLY, a masterpiece has been captured by an equally inspired masterpiece in illustrating & producing it. My gratitude to you, D.G.W.
Anonymous (not verified)
March 11, 2010
what a used car salesman!!!
-jb (not verified)
March 11, 2010

Best lecture on the Symphonie Fantastique ever!

"I'd pay another Kreutzer if the thing" had a second hour
and a second DVD with the full orchestral performance.

Anonymous (not verified)
March 11, 2010

Can't wait to see this on PBS.

SFS Fan (not verified)
March 11, 2010

I am really looking forward to this show on PBS.

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MORE KEEPING SCORE SHOWS


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MTT on Music:
The Making of a Performance

Hector Berlioz:
Symphonie fantastique

Aaron Copland
and the American Sound

Beethoven:
'Eroica'