Autobiography of Hector Berlioz
Member of the Institute of France, from 1803 to 1869; Comprising his Travels in Italy, Germany, Russia, and England

Berlioz compiled his colourful and engaging Mémoires between 1848 and 1865. This reissue is of the 1884 first English translation.

Hector Berlioz (Author), Rachel Holmes (Translated by)

9781108031936, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

424 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.4 cm, 0.54 kg

Hector Berlioz (1803–69) was one of the most original and colourful composers of his generation whose music was in many ways ahead of its time. He was also a respected journalist and critic. Begun in 1848, his celebrated Mémoires were completed by 1865 but published posthumously in 1870. They are the best-known of his writings and reflect the man - passionate, imaginative, idealistic, opinionated and witty - and give a fascinating, first-hand, insight into his life. He shares his uncompromising thoughts on his contemporaries and the musical establishment in France, writes candidly about his love affairs and engagingly on his music and travels. This first English translation from the original French, published in 1884, will appeal to the music lover and the general reader. Volume 2 (1842–65) includes an engaging account, assembled from previously published material and presented as letters to friends, of travels to Germany and Russia.

Part I. First Visit to Germany (1841–2): 52. Brussels
53. Stuttgart–Hechingen
54. Mannheim–Weimar
55. Leipzig
56. Dresden
57. Brunswick–Hamburg
58. Berlin
59. Berlin
60. Berlin
61. Hanover–Darmstadt
62. I get up Freyschütz for the Opéra
63. The horrors of Feuilleton writing
Part II. Second Visit to Germany (Austria–Bohemia–Hungary): 64. Vienna
65. Vienna
66. Pesth
67. Prague
68. Prague
69. Prague
70. Concert at Breslau
Part III. Russian Journey: 71. A musical courier
72. Return to St. Petersburg
73. My return
74. Roqueplan and Duponchel, directors of the Opéra
75. My father's death
76. Death of my sister
Postscript
Supplement
The last chapter of all
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Classical music [c 1750 to c 1830 AVGC4]