As a boy Hector Berlioz learnt the flute, guitar and, from treatises alone, harmony. He never studied the piano. His first compositions were romances and small chamber pieces.

After two unhappy years as a medical student in Paris (1821-3) he abandoned the career chosen for him by his father and turned decisively to music, attending Le Sueur's composition class at the Conservatoire. He entered for the Prix de Rome four times (1827-30) and finally won.

Among the most powerful influences on Berlioz were Shakespeare, whose plays were to inspire three major works, and the actress Harriet Smithson, whom he idolized, pursued and, after a bizarre courtship, eventually married in 1833. Beethoven's symphonies too made a strong impact, along with Goethe's Faust and the works of Moore, Scott and Byron. The most important product of this time was his startlingly original, five-movement Symphonie fantastique (1830).

Berlioz's 15 months in Italy (1831-2) were significant more for his absorption of warmth, vivacity and local colour than for the official works he wrote there. He moved out of Rome as often as possible and worked on a sequel to the Symphonie fantastique (Le retour a la vie, renamed Lelio in 1855) and overtures to King Lear and Rob Roy, returning to Paris early to promote his music.

Although the 1830s and early 1840s saw a flow of major compositions - Harold en Italie, Benvenuto Cellini, Grande messe des morts, Romeo et Juliette, Grande symphonie funebre et triomphale, Les nuits d'ete - his musical career was now essentially a tragic one. He failed to win much recognition, his works were considered eccentric, or 'incorrect' and he had reluctantly to rely on journalism for a living.

As the discouragements of Paris increased, however, performances and recognition abroad beckoned. Between 1842 and 1863 Berlioz spent most of his time touring, in Germany, Austria, Russia, England and elsewhere. Hailed as an advanced composer, he also became known as a leading modern conductor.

He produced literary works (notably the M