Hector Berlioz

Un Bal

Un Bal' is the indelible waltz movement from the pivotal, romantic-era work Symphonie fantastique by Hector Berlioz. It is arranged here featuring both the distinctive obbligato cornet solo, rarely included in  orchestral performances, and the beautiful  cantabile melodies shared by the  strings and winds.  The obbligato solo was written as  an afterthought in Berlioz' score and was first performed and perhaps intended for a special concert at the Théâtre-Italien Paris in May of 1844. The obbligato solo was likely  premiered  by Berlioz' favorite cornet player  Jean-Baptiste Arban,  best known today for his essential trumpet  method  and  popular theme and variation pieces  for cornet.  The present arrangement of 'Un Bal' is transposed up a half step from the original key of A major, thus making it more accessible for the Bb cornet or trumpet.