Hector Berlioz

French composer Hector Berlioz (1803-1869). In his own time, Berlioz was something of an outsider. Nevertheless, he remains the outstanding figure in French Romantic music. He best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande Messe des morts (Requiem). Berlioz made great contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation and by utilizing huge orchestral forces for his works, sometimes calling for over 1,000 performers. At the other extreme, he also composed around 50 songs for voice and piano.