Bassoonist here! At 10:20 the ophicleide is the correct instrument used in the original orchestration, but it is NOT a “cross between a bassoon and saxophone.” That description would better fit another instrument called the sarrusophone. The ophicleide is really more like a tuba or euphonium with woodwind keys and folded like a bassoon
This man is doing wonders for making classical music more accessible and for some perhaps less intimidating for such a broad scope of (also young, I hope,) people. Humor, depth, great editing! I take my hat off to you, sir!
As a 15 year old, I greatly appreciate these videos, they helped immensely with getting some of my friends into classical music, and broaden my understanding of some of my favorite pieces!
Absolutely, I'm 16 with no musical education and this gentleman is definitely making the symphony sound incredibly irresistible. Classical music has helped improve my attention span😅
Omg I would love to see an episode about Shostakovich 7! It's not just a wonderful masterpiece, but it is also interesting musically and it's backstory and it's Leningrad premiere is an incredible story.
Even though Mendelssohn didn't like this work, they were good friends. When Berlioz had his final mental breakdown after losing his son, he burned everything he has and only left a baton given by Mendelssohn and a guitar given by Paganini.
I didn't watch the Olympics opening but I saw a still from it of the blue guy surrounded by fruit, and my first thought was hey it's the Faun from Understanding Classics!
Symphonie Fantastique was a piece way ahead of its time. Hard to believe it was written just three years after Beethoven. Not that Beethoven wasn't way ahead of his time, but Symphonie Fantastique - WOW! Berlioz was the real inventor of the symphonic poem. Lizst just popularized them.
Every single time I have listened to the fourth movement, I have always imagined that Berlioz is just an quiet old man, who just loves some military marches and the sound of trumpets. I would never ever have thought that In reality it is a March to the scaffold. Or imagined how twisted he is and the symphony is. He is a genius
Why don’t people understand that they need patrons in order to do new videos. For gods sake stop demanding him to do more and just have respect. Plus they’re probably enjoying have a life and not doing these so for gods sake stop being sad!
This channel needs to be recognized. I hope you guys come back strong and don’t give up on the channel. This type of videos is very entertaining and has jnfinite possibilities. I guarantee you you’ll be rewarded for coming back and perservering!❤❤❤
here are some ideas for next episode: 1: Carmen (Bizet) 2: L'Arlésienne (Bizet) 3: William Tell (Rossini) 4: The Barber of Seville (Rossini) 5: Aida (Verdi) 6: Rigoletto (Verdi) 7: Má vlást (Smetana) 8: The Nutcracker (Tchaikovsky) 9: Swan Lake (Tchaikovsky) 10: Sleeping Beauty (Tchaikovsky) 11: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mendelssohn) 12: Faust (Gounod) 13: Water Music (Handel) 14: Egmont (Beethoven) 15: The Bartered Bride (Smetana) Which one do you like to do for next episode?
Symphonie Fantastique is one of my favourites. Nothing like getting melancholic and drinky while listening to it. 😆 I had no idea about the subtext of the peice, but now it makes total sense. Bloody artists.
Hi. I started watching this series because I wanted a quick introduction to rite of spring. Now I'm watching them one by one - I've found it extremely captivating. I hope there will be more!
I am hearing this Symphony performed in Sydney, AUSTRALIA this coming weekend. I absolutely did not recognise a single piece of music in it. However, I wanted to understand what I will be hearing and this presentation has been fantastic. I have watched it several times and also listened to Fantastique being performed on UA-cam as well. I can’t thank you enough.
Right loser, they want money otherwise they won’t do anything. If you’re willing to pay a lot of money for a youtube video (how sad does that sound?) then go ahead. Also Mahler is overrated.
@@pianosbloxworld4460 he was quite….a dickhead…but he was quite kind otherwise, and we can hear his desperation- I have sympathy for him but maybe I’m biased being into Mendelssohn
I put myself to the task of memorizing each instrumental line in the score.... I've been studying this Symphony for what I'd say is 4 or 5 years and this work of Berlioz in particular still affects me with goose bumps and explosive amounts of emotion, I've never felt so surrendered by sound, thus my dream to one day conduct this piece.
You mentioned Mendelssohn in this presentation. He not only revived Bach's St. Mathew Passion (for Easter), he is also known for The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) Concert Overture, Violin Concerto in E Minor, Songs without words (including Spring Song), Festgezang (the work behind Hark the Herald Angels Sing), Elijah, Overture and Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Hear My Prayer.
@@ClassicsExplained Really is worth. For people like me with a dumb-ear that still like music, this stuff is really the best. It's just a sweet bonus that it is in cartoon form.
This video was suggested to me by UA-cam, and I was intrigued. I've always loved this symphony ever since a dear, departed friend introduced it to me a decade ago. I never knew the story behind it, nor Berlioz's past. This video, as silly as this may sound, brought me to to tears. Thank you, sir, for this incredible video, and thank you for letting me hear Berlioz anew.
You mentioned Chopin in this presentation. He wrote Waltzes (Including Little Dog, aka Minute), Nocturnes (Including no2 in E Flat Major), Preludes (Including Raindrop), Scherzos (Including no. 1 which quotes an old Polish Carol), Mazurkas, Polonaises (Including Military), etc.
I really have to agree with the other comments on your other video, the animation is sheer genius, being entertaining and historically accurate. Hat's off to the animator. BRAVO
You are the best with the animations, history and explanations for young generations! PLEASE ONE ABOUT THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS BY SAINT-SAENS! (big fan here!)
Thank you so much - this is hugely, hugely appreciated. One of the hardest things for us is just keeping this financially viable. We actually have so many pre-written scripts but costs a bit to do the animation. So your help is really welcome :))
I love your videos, I'm so glad you're keeping up with them! Ophicleide is an important instrument in the music history because it is the forerunner of saxophone. Adolphe Sax supposedly invented the saxophone by experimenting with putting the woodwind (probably bass clarinet) mouthpiece on the ophicleide.
@@rynedresbach3446 I have heard that Berlioz used not only the ophicleide, but an even earlier instrument, the serpent, in that movement, to emphasize the brutal, primitive sound of the chant...
@@Lucius1958 Yes, that is correct. However, he later revised the score to call for two ophicleides. They, in turn, have largely become supplanted by tubas in modern settings.
"The full Tarantino treatment"... that said it all! I first heard this piece explained in live concert in 1974, but your video was so much more entertaining after all these years. I side with Mendelssohn-haha
Thank you so much for this video!! As a music student and a general lover of music, this channel has inspired me so much. Please keep making these great videos!
Hello Berlioz. That was crazy. Thank you though. I have a message from Harriet Smithson: “You stalker simp!!” And a message from an audience member Mendelssohn: “You’ve discouraged me from taking drugs forever.”
ALL HAIL HECTOR BERLIOZ, KING OF THE SIMPS
The first Emo.
Hahhahah
So it’s Berlioz the stalker, simp, and drug addict.
@@glenngouldschair390 and amazing musical artist
@@Vienic2 Oh wait, did I forget that?
Bassoonist here! At 10:20 the ophicleide is the correct instrument used in the original orchestration, but it is NOT a “cross between a bassoon and saxophone.” That description would better fit another instrument called the sarrusophone. The ophicleide is really more like a tuba or euphonium with woodwind keys and folded like a bassoon
"what better way to represent hell than with a fugue" i nearly choke on my snack lmao
Wherhee that’s true or not..
This man is doing wonders for making classical music more accessible and for some perhaps less intimidating for such a broad scope of (also young, I hope,) people. Humor, depth, great editing! I take my hat off to you, sir!
You are absolutely right. They are doing a tremendous job 👏👏👍
As a 15 year old, I greatly appreciate these videos, they helped immensely with getting some of my friends into classical music, and broaden my understanding of some of my favorite pieces!
Hi @@aidanm.2044, that's so great to hear! Keep on loving music 🎶!
Absolutely, I'm 16 with no musical education and this gentleman is definitely making the symphony sound incredibly irresistible. Classical music has helped improve my attention span😅
@@aayushyadav3365 that's wonderful! So glad to hear music has helped you in that way =)
You know the saying... "There is no fury like a simp composer scorned."
they only said that because of berlioz lol
Babe wake up, classics exaplained just uploaded
Omg I would love to see an episode about Shostakovich 7! It's not just a wonderful masterpiece, but it is also interesting musically and it's backstory and it's Leningrad premiere is an incredible story.
Almost all Shostakovich's symphonies are interesting musically
@gigogrom symphony no.2 'megalul
You took the words out of my mouth..!
ME TOO
this was thoroughly informative and disturbing, I now understand Mendelssohn's horror about this piece now lmao
Hahahahhaha
Mendelssohn: how scandalous.
Even though Mendelssohn didn't like this work, they were good friends. When Berlioz had his final mental breakdown after losing his son, he burned everything he has and only left a baton given by Mendelssohn and a guitar given by Paganini.
I didn't watch the Olympics opening but I saw a still from it of the blue guy surrounded by fruit, and my first thought was hey it's the Faun from Understanding Classics!
8:33
This was because Berlioz salvaged parts of his abandoned opera “Les Francs-juges” and incorporated them into the movement
Symphonie Fantastique was a piece way ahead of its time. Hard to believe it was written just three years after Beethoven. Not that Beethoven wasn't way ahead of his time, but Symphonie Fantastique - WOW!
Berlioz was the real inventor of the symphonic poem. Lizst just popularized them.
I love that. He is my composer, he is as silly as me!
Every single time I have listened to the fourth movement, I have always imagined that Berlioz is just an quiet old man, who just loves some military marches and the sound of trumpets.
I would never ever have thought that In reality it is a March to the scaffold. Or imagined how twisted he is and the symphony is.
He is a genius
Beethoven: *had a crush on Elise*
Hector: *Is simp for a girl*
No wonder why Beethoven is his Idol
Beethoven was the precursor of the simp. Also I see that Berlioz admired every aspect of Beethoven. Look at his hairstyle.
9:35
Literally one of the hardest excerpts to play on Eb clarinet
And today I learned it’s about witches drinking and twerking
ha! Thanks for this comment
lol, I played Bb clarinet myself; I thought Simple Gifts was tough.
You have got to do Respighi’s “The Pines of Rome” next. Your work makes these pieces so accessible.
Yeah, do it!
Why don’t people understand that they need patrons in order to do new videos. For gods sake stop demanding him to do more and just have respect. Plus they’re probably enjoying have a life and not doing these so for gods sake stop being sad!
Or fountains of rome
Ooo that would be awesome
@@cadentrombone5345 YESSSSSS
I’m playing this for my middle school band concert:)
Fantastique!
Like, the original or the suite by Michael Story?
@@GreenBoy9000 i’m not sure, i know it’s modified for bands instead of orchestra though. we did it with the high school:)
This channel needs to be recognized. I hope you guys come back strong and don’t give up on the channel. This type of videos is very entertaining and has jnfinite possibilities. I guarantee you you’ll be rewarded for coming back and perservering!❤❤❤
here are some ideas for next episode:
1: Carmen (Bizet)
2: L'Arlésienne (Bizet)
3: William Tell (Rossini)
4: The Barber of Seville (Rossini)
5: Aida (Verdi)
6: Rigoletto (Verdi)
7: Má vlást (Smetana)
8: The Nutcracker (Tchaikovsky)
9: Swan Lake (Tchaikovsky)
10: Sleeping Beauty (Tchaikovsky)
11: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mendelssohn)
12: Faust (Gounod)
13: Water Music (Handel)
14: Egmont (Beethoven)
15: The Bartered Bride (Smetana)
Which one do you like to do for next episode?
Leningrad Symphony (Shostakovich)
Daphnis et chloe (Ravel)
St.John’s night on bald mountain!!!!! ( the original and the re-orchestration)
The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
Love Má vlást!
Symphonie Fantastique is one of my favourites. Nothing like getting melancholic and drinky while listening to it. 😆 I had no idea about the subtext of the peice, but now it makes total sense. Bloody artists.
Hi. I started watching this series because I wanted a quick introduction to rite of spring. Now I'm watching them one by one - I've found it extremely captivating. I hope there will be more!
UA-cam algorithm please pick up! This channel is GOLD!!!
I am hearing this Symphony performed in Sydney, AUSTRALIA this coming weekend. I absolutely did not recognise a single piece of music in it. However, I wanted to understand what I will be hearing and this presentation has been fantastic. I have watched it several times and also listened to Fantastique being performed on UA-cam as well. I can’t thank you enough.
We hope you enjoy the performance!
Berlioz’s expressions are just so on point 😂
Me and my husband who is a music teacher, musician, etc and I are really enjoying this video we are half way through. 7:58 currently.
Where did u go why did u go please come back there's so much more I wanna listen about 😭😭
It has been over a year and I am still hoping for Episode 15! (Mahler Symphonie Nr. 6 would be great! I never found a good introduction to Mahler)
Right loser, they want money otherwise they won’t do anything. If you’re willing to pay a lot of money for a youtube video (how sad does that sound?) then go ahead.
Also Mahler is overrated.
@@alegendamongmen Can u just relax the animators producers etc…works really hard to make patreons/money
i hope we start getting more content soon! this channel has saved me so many times in music history
Please come back. I miss these so much!!!
Poor Harriet. She didn’t deserve the crap Berlioz put her through
ikr, and what if she became an alcoholic because of him??? being stolked by and then forced to marry????? my gosh its a bit extreme innit
Well I feel bad for both
@@whalien_translations Berlioz is an extremist.
@@pianosbloxworld4460 well yes I have realised
@@pianosbloxworld4460 he was quite….a dickhead…but he was quite kind otherwise, and we can hear his desperation- I have sympathy for him but maybe I’m biased being into Mendelssohn
I put myself to the task of memorizing each instrumental line in the score.... I've been studying this Symphony for what I'd say is 4 or 5 years and this work of Berlioz in particular still affects me with goose bumps and explosive amounts of emotion, I've never felt so surrendered by sound, thus my dream to one day conduct this piece.
I LOVE the Melancholy Land map !
I’m going to see this live tomorrow, and having this knowledge is going to make it SO much more fun! This video is the BEST!
What entertaining videos. Must watch for everybody!
YOU'RE BACK!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!
Genius. This series is AMAZING!!!!
Hooray! He’s back!
So hyped he is back!
I love the fifth movement of this piece! Thank you for the outstanding video!
I miss these, but the ones that are already here are just amazing :’)
* diabolical laughter Monty-Python-style ALL through the episode* Thank you, guys!
You mentioned Mendelssohn in this presentation. He not only revived Bach's St. Mathew Passion (for Easter), he is also known for The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) Concert Overture, Violin Concerto in E Minor, Songs without words (including Spring Song), Festgezang (the work behind Hark the Herald Angels Sing), Elijah, Overture and Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Hear My Prayer.
Seriously without any exaggeration this is one of the greatest videos on UA-cam history .
I can't say thank you enough
Can’t wait to see how you add humor to a Mahler or Bruckner symphony. Great videos!
Totally lol
I have been waiting for the new ep!
Thank you so much. Symphony fantastique has been my favorite classical composition for the last 2 months.
Amazing vid, worth the wait 100%
Love this comment - thank you so much. Sorry such a long wait :)
@@ClassicsExplained Really is worth. For people like me with a dumb-ear that still like music, this stuff is really the best. It's just a sweet bonus that it is in cartoon form.
Oh hooray!
You have return!
This was lovely piece of music to the very funny animation. I can not wait for your next one...
Truee
I love learning the stories behind the music.
This video was suggested to me by UA-cam, and I was intrigued. I've always loved this symphony ever since a dear, departed friend introduced it to me a decade ago. I never knew the story behind it, nor Berlioz's past. This video, as silly as this may sound, brought me to to tears. Thank you, sir, for this incredible video, and thank you for letting me hear Berlioz anew.
Rossini's William Tell Overture also had a ranz des vaches but this leads to a famous galop at the end.
my god, this channel should have MILLIONS of views and subscribers...incredible work
He has returned
You mentioned Chopin in this presentation. He wrote Waltzes (Including Little Dog, aka Minute), Nocturnes (Including no2 in E Flat Major), Preludes (Including Raindrop), Scherzos (Including no. 1 which quotes an old Polish Carol), Mazurkas, Polonaises (Including Military), etc.
This is honestly the best video i have ever seen
I really have to agree with the other comments on your other video, the animation is sheer genius, being entertaining and historically accurate. Hat's off to the animator. BRAVO
Thanks so much - really appreicated :)
I recently found this and I love it every minute of it! Keep up the good work!
That was awesome!
Great video!
Would you cover Shostakovich next? Or maybe The Carnival of the Animals?
I second Shostakovich
@@ssb201 i third shosty
@@UniversalDirp I fourth Shosty.
@@connorhlane Nooo carnival animals!!
Jesus Christ!
This episode was a wild ride xD
I certainly didn’t expect a Sabbath of twerking witches played by… You know… Piccolos 😳
You are the best with the animations, history and explanations for young generations! PLEASE ONE ABOUT THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS BY SAINT-SAENS! (big fan here!)
This video was SPECTACULAR, thank you so much for making classical more accesible :) great work!!
3rd movement is beautiful. As a violist. I feel fresh playing the melody of that movement.
Love this comment - so good
Just became a patron. Only a few euros a month but if many people join in, you will hopefully be able to make more videos. Thank you !
Thank you so much - this is hugely, hugely appreciated. One of the hardest things for us is just keeping this financially viable. We actually have so many pre-written scripts but costs a bit to do the animation. So your help is really welcome :))
Please keep making more!! Love these narrated classics!!!
They won’t unless people give them money. Is so that they can get out of a job and get money from using other people’s recordings. It’s selfish
@@alegendamongmen Bro people always give the creators money!!
What a great time to discover your channel! I love your videos, they’re so accessible. Looking forward to more!
Great video. Thank you so much!
Thank you sir for this hardwork 🙏
These are some of my favorite videos on all of UA-cam.
I am very glad you are back at it making them!
So... This was the most amazing thing I've watched in a long time!
I love your videos, I'm so glad you're keeping up with them!
Ophicleide is an important instrument in the music history because it is the forerunner of saxophone. Adolphe Sax supposedly invented the saxophone by experimenting with putting the woodwind (probably bass clarinet) mouthpiece on the ophicleide.
Ophicleide, however, is not a woodwind instrument; rather, it's a form of keyed brass.
@@rynedresbach3446 I have heard that Berlioz used not only the ophicleide, but an even earlier instrument, the serpent, in that movement, to emphasize the brutal, primitive sound of the chant...
@@Lucius1958 Yes, that is correct. However, he later revised the score to call for two ophicleides. They, in turn, have largely become supplanted by tubas in modern settings.
I love your content😍😍
Once again a fantastic video. Much Love to the animators.
"The full Tarantino treatment"... that said it all! I first heard this piece explained in live concert in 1974, but your video was so much more entertaining after all these years. I side with Mendelssohn-haha
Mendelssohn what? He stole Harriet?
I can see why you spent more time than usual it looks quite excellent
Yes
Thank you so much for this video!! As a music student and a general lover of music, this channel has inspired me so much. Please keep making these great videos!
Hallelujah!
Thanks for this video. It was awesome!
A thing I find interesting is that you published this video with the same opus number as the piece: 14
Hello Berlioz. That was crazy. Thank you though. I have a message from Harriet Smithson:
“You stalker simp!!”
And a message from an audience member Mendelssohn:
“You’ve discouraged me from taking drugs forever.”
Thanks for another great episode on my favourite symphony. Keep it coming Ben this channel is gold, love ya lots.
This story is incredible i absolutely love it
Will “Pastroral Symphony”,”Bolero’’,and “Carnival of the Animals” be next?
Just written the script for one of them ;)
@@ClassicsExplained and don’t forget Pines of Rome ok?👌
@@ClassicsExplained OH! and Rhapsody in Blue too!
I would like to include "In the Steppes of Central Asia" by Borodin
@@luisfelipegoncalves4977 this or prince igor by borodin
very good
YAASS!!! I just recently found this channel and I can’t believe you decided to continue with these series! 🥳
Was waiting for a new video! Can you do one about works of Mahler and Bach too?
Great video! I had requested this a while back, keep up the amazing work!
THANK YOU!! this is a treat indeed.
Your best one yet! This was so enjoyable.
Great work!
Oh, this video was Fantastique!
Thanks so much :))
Based on The Faust Legend.
This is so well done!!
LOVED IT! KEEP EM COMING
Rhapsody in Blue next please! Love the content!
Ok.. I thought Symphonie Fantastique was awesome, but this has taken things to a crazy new level
This video deserves more than one like. Seriously.
Damn it, this is so much like Dante and Beatrice in the Divine Comedy but on steroi... I mean Opium
And that there’s the key difference: Dante never did opium.
Fascinating video. I absolutely adore your work!
Bravo sir! Keep this series going for as long as possible! Also, if you can please take requests perhaps for future episodes! Thanks
Yes please
Wonderful video! Hope ya'll never stop doing this as they are genuinely entertaining and have lots to give in terms of trivia and information.
This is utterly fantastic!