Harold en Italie, H.68, op. 16
Harold en Italie, symphonie avec un alto principal (Harold in Italy, symphony with viola obbligato), as the manuscript describes it, is a four-movement orchestral work by Hector Berlioz, his Opus 16, H. 68, written in 1834. Throughout, the unusual viola part represents the titular protagonist, without casting the form as a concerto. The movements have these titles, alluding to a programme:
Movements
- Harold aux Montagnes. Scènes de mélancolie, de bonheur et de joie. Adagio — Allegro
- Marche des pélerins chantant la prière du soir. Allegretto
- Sérénade d’un montagnard des Abruzzes à sa maîtresse. Allegro assai — Allegretto
- Orgie de brigands. Souvenirs des scènes précédentes. Allegro frenetico — Adagio — Allegro
Recommended recordings
- William Primrose · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Charles Munch YouTubeSpotify (subscription)
- Nobuko Imai · London Symphony Orchestra · Colin Davis YouTubeSpotify (subscription)