A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Harold en Italie

HAROLD EN ITALIE. The 4th of Berlioz's 5 symphonies, op. 16, dedicated to Humbert Ferrand; for full orchestra with sola viola; in 4 movements—(1) 'Harold aux montagnas. Scènes de mélancolie, de bonheur et de joie.' Adagio and Allegro; in G. (2) 'Marche de Pélerins chantant la prière du soir.' Allegretto; in E. (3) 'Sérénade d'un Montagnard des Abbruzes à sa maitresse.' Allegro assai; in C. (4) 'Orgie de Brigands. Souvenirs des Scènes précédentes.' Allegro frenetico; in G. It was composed in 1834, and originated in a request of Paganini's that Berlioz should write a solo in which he could display the qualities of his Stradivarius viola. It is needless to say that it did not fulfil that intention. The idea of the work is based on Childe Harold. (See Berlioz's Mémoires, chap. 45.) It was first performed at the Conservatoire Nov. 23, 1834, but has been much altered since. Score and parts are published by Schlesinger. It was played for the first time in England at the New Philharmonic Concert, July 4, 1855 [App. p.668 "the first performance in England took place at Drury Lane Theatre in the winter of 1847–48, when Berlioz conducted and Hill played the viola part"]. Berlioz conducted and Ernst played the viola part.

[ G. ]