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Leaving Cert Music: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

How often Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique comes up on the Music papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 3 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022.

OL Asked on 3 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2022.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique.

(a)What kind of work is the Symphonie Fantastique (1830)?
  1. A piano concerto
  2. A programme symphony
  3. An oratorio
(b)Which dance is the second movement of the Symphonie Fantastique based on?
  1. Polka
  2. Minuet
  3. Waltz
(c)What is happening in the programme of the fourth movement?
  1. The artist is marched to his execution
  2. Shepherds call to each other in the fields
  3. The artist dances at a ball
Show the answers

(a) A programme symphony

(b) Waltz

(c) The artist is marched to his execution

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique.

Higher Level

Asked on 3 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q2
2021Q1
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique questions

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, 2 marks

What is the title of the second movement of the Symphonie Fantastique?

  1. March to the Scaffold
  2. Scene in the Fields
  3. Un bal (A Ball)
Show the answer

Un bal (A Ball)

The second movement puts the artist at a glittering ball. Scene in the Fields is movement 3 and March to the Scaffold is movement 4.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, 2 marks

What is the key of March to the Scaffold?

  1. E flat major
  2. G minor
  3. D minor
Show the answer

G minor

March to the Scaffold is in G minor, suiting its grim programme, and it contrasts this with a brassy march theme in a major key.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, 2 marks

Berlioz's ophicleide parts are usually played today on which instrument?

  1. Tuba
  2. Bassoon
  3. Trombone
Show the answer

Tuba

The ophicleide was an early keyed bass brass instrument. It became obsolete, so modern orchestras play its heavy low parts on tubas.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2022.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q2
2021Q1
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique questions

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, 2 marks

In what year did Berlioz compose the Symphonie Fantastique?

  1. 1786
  2. 1967
  3. 1830
Show the answer

1830

Berlioz wrote it in 1830, only three years after Beethoven died. It is a landmark of early Romantic music.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, 2 marks

Berlioz was inspired by his love for which Irish-born actress?

  1. Maureen O'Hara
  2. Harriet Smithson
  3. Sarah Bernhardt
Show the answer

Harriet Smithson

Harriet Smithson, born in Ennis, Co. Clare, acted Shakespeare in Paris. Berlioz's obsession with her inspired the symphony and its idée fixe.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, 2 marks

What is a programme symphony?

  1. A symphony that tells a story
  2. A symphony for solo piano
  3. A symphony with no melody
Show the answer

A symphony that tells a story

Programme music follows a story or idea from outside music. Berlioz wrote a printed programme about an artist's dreams of his beloved.

Other Music topics

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