Berlioz, H :: Theme from Roman Carnival

Musicians Publications presents Hector Berlioz s Theme from Roman Carnival' arranged for flexible woodwind trio by Carson Rothrock. Scored for flute, oboe or English horn, and clarinet, this arrangement also includes an optional clarinet part to replace the oboe or English horn if necessary. This arrangement is advanced in difficulty.

The Roman Carnival Overture' is one of Hector Berlioz most popular pieces. It owes its existence to the utter failure of an opera now generally considered a masterpiece. Actually, Berlioz musical life suffered a number of odd twists and turns before he ever wrote the opera. At his parents insistence, Berlioz began to study medicine in 1821, and hated it. He spent more time and energy studying and listening to music, and even composed a few pieces. In 1826, he was admitted to the Paris Conservatory. There, he studied composition with Jean-Francois Le Sueur and counterpoint with Anton Reicha. He immediately began to apply for France s most prestigious musical award, the Prix de Rome. On his fourth attempt, in 1830, he won by submitting a cantata that followed all the academic rules. It contained nothing of his own musical personality. He had already composed the Symphonie fantastique , which established his international reputation.

- David Guion, 2018