The Music of Hector Berlioz: New York Times and Wall Street Journal Preview the 2024 Bard Music Festival

Nearly every work by the French Romantic-era composer Hector Berlioz “defies conventional analysis and taxonomy, and must be approached on its own terms,” writes Joshua Barone in his preview of the 2024 Bard Music Festival for the New York Times. “It feels as though we are still catching up to Berlioz’s pipe-dream visions of musical possibility.” This year’s Bard Music Festival, also previewed in the Wall Street Journal, will explore the many strands of Berlioz’s contributions and his crucial role in the musical life of 19th-century Europe and of today. “The Symphonie Fantastique fits on a standard orchestral program, but not much else, making each Berlioz performance feel like a special occasion,” Barone continues. “At Bard, a series of concerts and discussions, based on themes of Romanticism and literature, will include pieces that most likely won’t be played elsewhere in the United States this season.” 

The 34th Bard Music Festival Berlioz and His World will take place across two weekends from August 9–18.
 

Post Date: 08-06-2024