Hector Berlioz as critic and author

The composer Hector Berlioz was a prolific writer who supported himself early in his career by writing musical criticism using a bold, vigorous style, at times imperious and sarcastic. Criticism was an activity “at which he excelled but which he abhorred”. Despite his complaints, Berlioz continued writing music criticism for most of his life, long after he had any financial need to do so. Criticism Berlioz wrote for many journals, including the Rénovateur, Journal des débats and Gazette musicale. He was active in the Débats for over thirty years until submitting his last signed article in 1863. Almost from the founding, Berlioz was a key member of the editorial board of the Gazette, as well as a contributor, and acted as editor on several occasions while the owner was otherwise engaged. Berlioz took advantage of his times as editor, allowing himself to increase his articles written on music history rather than current events, evidenced by him publishing seven articles on Gluck in the Gazette between June 1834 and January 1835. These were in-depth articles and reviews. The Gazette did not always praise Berlioz’s music, although it always recognized him as an important and serious co