Berlioz, (Louis) Hector

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Berlioz, (Louis) Hector (1803–69) French composer, a leading figure in the French Romantic movement. He is noted for innovative orchestral writing, the use of large forces and the emphasis he laid on orchestral colour. His Symphonie Fantastique (1830) is a primary example of programme music. Other works include Harold in Italy for viola and orchestra (1834), the operas Benvenuto Cellini (1838) and The Trojans (1855–58), and the Requiem (1837). He also wrote an extremely influential treatise on orchestration (1844).

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