PROGRAM NOTES
A SOLDIER ’ S TALE AND ROMEO AND JULIET
Russian audiences heard a work with significant revisions and alterations , not all of them authorized by the composer . He would revise it again for the Bolshoi ’ s critically acclaimed 1946 performance .
And so the orchestral suites take on even greater significance . They ’ re a way to hear aspects of Prokofiev ’ s initial intent : a piece that is whimsical ; skewed ; furious ; and tragic . The most popular episodes come from Suite No . 2 : “ Montagues and Capulets ,” whose low register brass pulses , intense rhythmic cells , and atmospheric strings and woodwinds weave the pomposity , boastfulness , and tragic foreboding of the families ’ petty feud . “ Juliet , the Young Girl ” immediately follows , light , sparkling , lyrical , and bitterly sweet . “ Friar Laurence ” is amiable , rolling along with patience and humility . “ Romeo and Juliet Before Parting ” is the longest ; tender , intimate , and passionate , a powerful apex focused less on what will happen but what could happen if these youth were only permitted to love each other . The dramatic direction and invite parallels to another
musical interpretation of doomed lovers : Wagner ’ s Tristan and Isolde .
“ Minuet ” ( The Arrival of the Guests ) and “ Death of Tybalt ” are two of the more popular selections from Suite No . 1 , highlighting Prokofiev ’ s skill at combining virtuosic intensity with lithe movement ; intense lyricism with clear textures ; and light character with foreboding tonalities . “ Morning Dance ” from Suite No . 3 is exuberant and impishly happy , the offbeat pulses conjuring a whirling , Russian folk dance . Between the three suites , Prokofiev has highlighted some of the major melodies and settings from the ballet and its source material , each ending with the death of a character ( Tybalt ’ s death in Suite No . 1 ; Juliet ’ s presumed death in Suite No . 2 ; and Juliet ’ s actual death in Suite No . 3 ). Because of this dramatic interweaving across the suites , it ’ s become standard practice to mix movements from all three to highlight the most salient , arresting , and illuminating moments from the ballet . Even if a listener has little to no knowledge of what Romeo and Juliet is , they will be the end of the performance , as they move through a whimsical , tragic , and exuberant world of two doomed lovers and their ridiculous , feuding family .
Instrumentation Two flutes , piccolo , two oboes , English horn , two clarinets , bass clarinet , two bassoons , contrabassoon , tenor saxophone , four horns , three trumpets , cornet , three trombones , tuba , timpani , percussion , harp , piano , celesta , mandolins , and strings .
Musical Terms Modernist : Both a philosophical and arts movement that arose from broad transformations in Western society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries . Bitonality : The use of only two different keys at the same time . Dramaturge : A Literary editor on the staff of a theatre who usually consults with authors and edits texts .
Follow A Leader … Become A Leader
Gerstell Academy H Leadership , Honor , Courage H
Are you looking for a school that will inspire and motivate your child to reach his or her full potential in leadership , college preparatory academics , and physical training ?
Gerstell Academy provides a values-based education for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 that challenges each student to develop his / her full potential . Students enjoy art , music , physical education , technology , and competitive athletics — cross country , soccer , volleyball , basketball , wrestling , lacrosse , and baseball .
Ride the Bus ! Visit us on the web at www . gerstell . org . Call us at 410.861.4400
Ask us about scholarship opportunities ! Call today to R . S . V . P . for an Open House or to schedule a Shadow Day .
Gerstell Academy , 2500 Old Westminster Pike , Finksburg , MD 21048
FALL OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE Saturday , October 22nd 10 a . m . H Thursday , November 17th 5 p . m .
NOV-DEC 2022 / OVERTURE 17