Great Works of Romantic Music: Symphonie fantastique: Movement 3

A Ranz des Vaches (pronounce) or Kuhreihen is a simple melody traditionally played on

the horn by the Swiss Alpine herdsmen as they drove their cattle to or from the pasture.

The Kuhreihen was linked to the Swiss nostalgia and Homesickness.

"One evening in the countryside he hears two shepherds in the distance

dialoguing with their ranz des vaches; this pastoral duet, the setting, the gentle rustling

of trees in the wind, some causes for hope that he has recently conceived, all conspire

to restore to his heart an unaccustomed feeling of calm and to give to his thoughts

a happier coloring. He broods on his loneliness, and hopes that soon he will no

longer be alone... But what if she betrayed him!... This mingled hope and fear,

these ideas of happiness, disturbed by dark premonitions, form the subject of the

adagio. At the end one of the shepherds resumes his ranz des vaches; the other

one no longer answers. Distant sound of thunder... solitude... silence."

This movement is inspired by Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony (No. 6). Nature is a

common Romantic theme.

After a duet by two oboes (one off-stage and far away) simulating the two Alpine hornists,

the music of flutes and violins is the most tranquil of the symphony. The musician is temporarily

at peace.

At 6:30 the music becomes more volatile as the musician losses his serenity. At 11:30 a couple

short phrases from from the idée fixe returns.

The movement ends with the alpine horn (oboe) repeating its call, but the second horn does not

respond. Instead we get thunder (from the tympani) in the distance.

Great Works of Romantic Music