DESCRIPTION:
The fifth movement from Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. It begins with an introduction in three parts, marked Largo, then Allegro, followed by the sounding of bells. Following this is the Dies Irae theme followed by the Ronde du sabbat (Witche's Round Dance).
In this movement the artists, heavily under the influence of opium, dreams that he is dead and that his funeral is attended by goblins, scorcerers and monsters. The orchestration is inventive and, in places, incredibly modern sounding. For a full analysis of this work, by Stephen Johnson, go to;
www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/discoveringmusic/pip/kv4qd/

Credits:
Performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier