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.