Introduction to the work (5th years)

1. Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture

2. Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Tchaikovsky achieved huge popularity during his lifetime His music has a distinctly Russian combination of passion and wistfulness. He wrote many types of music, amongst them were concertos, symphonies, chamber music and ballets. His most famous pieces include the 1812 Overture, the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and his three ballets, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty – not bad for someone who early teachers considered to be average at best!

3. Romantic composer Romantic music was primarily concerned with fantasy and expression, rather than structure. In many ways Tchaikovsky was a typical Romantic composer. Romantic features of this work include: Extra-musical programme of the work. The themes are inspired by Shakespeare’s characters The imaginative use of a large orchestra Beautiful lyrical melodies that allowed the themes to grow and develop Contrasting textures, keys and tempi The creative use of unexpected keys Expanded classical structures

4. Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture Independent one movement work Fantasy element allows us to indulge our imagination when listening to it It is in common time It is in B minor Its form is an extended Sonata Form It is based on three main themes, each of which has its own specific features

5. The Friar Lawrence theme Friar Lawrence is the peace keeper and represents the voice of reason The theme is calm, rising and up-lifting As the work unfolds the theme becomes more agitated and demanding, through an altering of instrumentation, pitch and accompaniment

6. The Friar Lawrence Theme This section is first heard in the introduction on the clarinet and bassoon It is in F# minor and has a homophonic texture at first It has a hymn-like, chorale quality, with a very steady pulse Later, in the development and recapitulation sections of the work it combines with the Strife theme to show how Friar Lawrence attempted to resolve the conflict

7. The Strife Theme Conflict is at the heart of Shakespeare’s play (feuding Capulet and Montague families) Ultimately this conflict puts a tragic end to Romeo and Juliet’s love A violent and pulsating 4-bar theme is used to represent the strife As the story darkens this theme becomes louder and more incessant and takes over the work, interrupting the other themes Generally this strong theme remains unchanged throughout the work, showing the immovable presence of the feuding families right up until the end

8. The Strife Theme Also known as the First Subject in Sonata Form This startling theme appears first at the start of the exposition (bars 112-115) It is in B minor and is homophonic in texture It is first played by flutes and first violins accompanied by the remaining wind, horns, timpani and strings It is notable for its repetition and its syncopated and dotted rhythm A number of other motifs are part of the Strife mood

9. The Love Theme The forbidden love affair between Romeo and Juliet is the foundation for the whole play The Love Theme is undoubtedly the most famous and well loved section of Tchaikovsky’s work It is a long expansive melody full of emotion Tchaikovsky alters this theme the most to show how the love between Romeo and Juliet grows against all odds, even after death

10. The Love Theme This theme is also known as the Second Subject part 1 It first appears in the second half of the exposition, played by the CorAnglaisand Viola It is played in D flat major though we expected to hear it in D major The strings use mutes (con sordini) to quieten their sound The low strings provide a pizzicato accompaniment There is a rising harp arpeggio at the end of the theme Later in the work, in the coda, the love theme is presented in an altered, minor sounding form. This reflects the lovers’ deaths.