New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-23
OBiTCARY.
HECTOR BERLIOZ.

HECIOR BEfLiOL'
The death of this celebrated musician was
announced in Paris on the eth inst. No particulars
were given concerning the Of the event. or ndi-
eating where 1t took place.
Louis Hector Berlioz born at C6te-SaintAndre
France on the nth OF December 1903 He was the son
Of physician OF distinction, whose purpose 1t was to
educate him to the profession, and who sent him
early age 10 pursue course Of medical study at
Paris. A musical career however, had long been the
object Of Berlozs ambition, and when twenty-threo
years old deserted his college, and in spite of paerna
circumstances entered the Conservatory. His father
refused time contribute TO his support and he
with difficulty maintained himself by singing in the
chorus Of the Theatre DIES NouveautGs for the small
salary Of fifty francs a month. Under the in
struetion OF ReIcha, the influence OF whose
peculiar teachings has always been more
or less percepbe in hs works. Beroz advanced 30 rap
idly as gain in 1898 the second prize and In 1890 the
first prize for musical composition During his four years
at the ConseryaOire he wrote Mass for four voices
chorus and orchestra the Waverley" overture, Sym
phonie Fantastique," "Fantasies sur Ia Temp6te,"
second fantasle" entitled Scenes dc Faust the can
tata Of "sardanapale," and "symphonie Funebre ct
Triomphalc," In commemoratiOn Of the revolutionary
events Of July. These works were highly valued by
sicians mainly. II would account of the techn
cal proficiency and the remarkable skill in orchestraton
which they exhbed but does not appear that they
attracted any degree OF popular attention In 1880 Ber
Oz visited Italy, not much for purposes OF study as OF
recreation The Italian school Of music was indeed at all
times him land the few works he composed at
Rome" Leno, on lie Retoura Ia Ve," monodrame; La
Balade du Peeheur" words by G0ethe) lie ChGur des
ombres" suggested by "HamletD and two oVertures,
King Lear" and "ROb Roy"-certanly betray no ndi.
cation Of Italian influence Upon his return 10 PARIS IN
1882 discovered that the qualities which gained him
fine good Will OF the Professors Of the COnservatOre
by such would enable him TO secure rapid
were produced not only without but amid the
and the denunciations OF critics
/ ha nf
and difusIng his theories, he became regular con-
rbutor to the Gazette Musicale and the JouT1ldl des
Debdts, his writings In which were models
Of eoquence, force and perspcuity. 1t Is prob.
able that he won more adheronts by strength OF
than his musical works. unaided, could ever have OBJ
tanned for him. He became the center OF niue group
duce operate and other managers give him hearing
though not 70 persuade the public TO tolerate nm s
disastrous failure and condemned by every voice in
Paris except those OF BerlOz and his friends the cO
poser himself endeayorng justify the work IN series
Of essays than which nothing brilliant and spirited
has been in musical literature. The world adj
composer. The disappointment and the modification
brought on severe lit OF iness, circumstance
dented action on the part OF the . TSIst
in the form Of present of 10000 francs and hs admra
ton by bold statement that the cratic French COM
poser was the equal OF Beethoven.
Although unfortunate with his opera. Berlioz enjoyed
certain success, about this period win one or Two
we believe inspired by Paganni were readily accepted
and applauded His Requiem Mass the most remarkable
in respect OF INSTRUMENTATION
was performed Ia 1881 the obsequies OF Gen. Dainre
mont and N not enthusiastically welcomed, was not
condemned The year 1913 he devoted to series OF
concerts In Belgium and Germany, for which no COM
nosed the lively overture lie Carnival Romaln, and
by means OF Which he laid the foundation OF bis forune
At the Industrial Exhibition OF 1874 20 eUoyed
for the rst time the opportunity Of presenting one OF
his works on a scale Of magnitude commensurate with
his designs. This the Hymne Ia France, which
was executed NV an orchestra and chorus OF lO0O mu
sieians In lsa6 he produced at the Opera Comiqae
legend In four parts" entitled La DamDauOn de
Faust the reception OF which sufficiently atterlng
TO afford Justification for the boast OF the Berh05
party that the public had last become educ aed 70 an
understanding OF their artistic principles DEnfance
du Christ" sacred trogy," soon followed, ana was
well received though not heartily as It's immaculate
predecessor. Between and 1868 he brought OUT
number Of symphonies all ayowedly Intended 10
| and convictions, aud all exhibiting ms talents
| in their worthest aspect His last composition OF I'M
pOrtanee was heroic OPERA LES TToyens performed az