In Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, what is the idée fixe?

a. a shepherd song in the third movement

b. the basic theme of the symphony, heard in every movement

c. a chant from the Mass for the Dead appearing in the finale

d. a theme and variations, heard in the march movement

In Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, idée fixe is the basic theme of the symphony, heard in every movement.

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

Symphonie fantastique is a program symphony composed by Hector Berlioz who was the greatest composer in 1830. He was also an important person in the early Romanic time period. Since his music was played behind the drama. His score had 90 instruments in total and his symphony had five movements.

He introduced a theme called idée fixe. And that theme appeared in all 5 of his movements. Berlioz's main goal is to comprise all the pieces into one while watching the drama that playing. He composed this Symphonie fantastique in order to get attention from Harriet who is a Novelist at that time.