The bass part for Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14 has been edited by Paul Ellison, in-demand double bassist, professor, presenter, and former Houston Symphony Orchestra principal bassist of 23 years. Ellison's bowings, fingerings and other editorial markings have been added throughout the score.

Symphonie Fantastique is a program symphony written by Hector Berlioz in 1830. An important piece of the early Romantic period, it is popular with concert audiences worldwide. The symphony tells the life story of a talented and imaginative artist who has "poisoned himself with opium" in the "depths of despair" because of "hopeless love." The work consists of five movements:

Rêveries – Passions (Reveries– Passions)
Un bal (A Ball)
Scène aux champs (Scene in the Fields)
Marche au supplice (March to the Scaffold)
Songe d'une nuit du sabbat (Dream of the Night of the Sabbath)

Download and print the score today to gain access to expertly edited Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique bass fingerings and bowings from Paul Ellison!

Dear bassist or interested party,

All my editing is done in the spirit of "living editions." They are never finished or to be considered set in stone.  Bowings, articulations, fingerings, dynamics and phrasings may change with conductors, historical performance considerations, change of instrument, bow or strings, differing venues, individual physical considerations, change of climate or altitude not to mention additional acquired knowledge or change in personal taste. Asking oneself to have about five ways to play most passages seems to cover the fluctuating circumstances mentioned in addition to giving oneself reason and context for choices to be made. Each set of performances of any major work is likely to prompt some change(s). The very nature and future of music as an art form demands live, dynamic, fresh interpretations which frequently necessitates realizing that there actually is no "rule book" and that the "bass police" will never actually show up.

Please accept this editing in the spirit of knowing that our skills and abilities are in constant flux and may require many possibilities. Here's to great music making.

-Paul Ellison