14," was a program symphony in 5 parts, by Hector Berlioz. The symphony is about how a gifted artist feels hopeless in love, and resorts to opium. It is quite similar to Berlioz's situation. Harriet Smithson fascinated him, but she scorned him. Berlioz then considered committing suicide by taking opium. This piece is an important piece of the early Romantic Period. The scores calls for a total of over 90 instrumentalists, is the most of any symphony wrote at that period. At that time, the techniques of the orchestral players had not developed yet; this piece was declared, "unplayable." The first attempt to have the, "Symphonie Fantastique," performed, failed. The first performance took place on December of 1830, in the old hall of the Paris Conservatoire. It was a considerable success. .
The first movement, Rêveries – Passions (Day-dreams – Passions) starts by the woodwinds to create the romantic opening. Then the strings join in, and the texture of the music becomes richer. The recurring theme, idée fixe, is bought out by the violins, after the slow introduction. Throughout the movement there is simplicity in the way that melodies and themes are presented. This movement is radical in its harmonic outline. It builds a vast arch back to the home key, and is quite similar to the sonata form of the classical period.
The second movement – Un bal (A Ball) has a mysterious introduction, that reveals an excitement is coming. After the introduction, there is a passage dominated by 2 harps, followed by the flowing waltz theme. This theme is derived from the idée fixe, with some transformation. The violins and harps suggest the glitter of a society ball. The idée fixe appears in this movement, and is played by the flute, oboe, and later, the clarinet. This is the only movement to feature the harps, creating an atmosphere of glamour and sensual richness of the ball.
