Topic by halpyoco

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Topic: Prokofiev - from "Romeo and Juliet"

Sergei Prokofiev composed the piano suite "Romeo and Juliet" based on Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name, originally for ballet. However, before the ballet's premiere, it was arranged as a suite for piano. This suite was completed in 1935 and premiered in 1936.

Young Juliet:
A portrayal of the playful and charming Juliet. Depicts her lament over an unwelcome engagement.

Mercutio:
A portrayal of Romeo's best friend, who will fall in a duel. Depicts a spirited, rough yet cheerful young man.

P.S.
This ballet piece was a favorite of my ballet enthusiast ex-girlfriend, and I have fond memories of watching it on video at her house. It was a performance by the Royal Ballet in England, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, with Alessandra Ferri dancing the role of Juliet. Ferri's performance was spectacular, embodying the young Juliet perfectly, and I was captivated by her expressiveness. Since then, this ballet has become one of my absolute favorites.

https://soundcloud.com/haruyasu-umetsu/young-juliet

https://soundcloud.com/haruyasu-umetsu/mercutio

Pianoteq 8
Steingraeber E-272

from Tokyo, Japan
HAL

Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: Prokofiev - from "Romeo and Juliet"

halpyoco wrote:

Sergei Prokofiev composed the piano suite "Romeo and Juliet" based on Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name, originally for ballet. However, before the ballet's premiere, it was arranged as a suite for piano. This suite was completed in 1935 and premiered in 1936.

Young Juliet:
A portrayal of the playful and charming Juliet. Depicts her lament over an unwelcome engagement.

Mercutio:
A portrayal of Romeo's best friend, who will fall in a duel. Depicts a spirited, rough yet cheerful young man.

P.S.
This ballet piece was a favorite of my ballet enthusiast ex-girlfriend, and I have fond memories of watching it on video at her house. It was a performance by the Royal Ballet in England, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, with Alessandra Ferri dancing the role of Juliet. Ferri's performance was spectacular, embodying the young Juliet perfectly, and I was captivated by her expressiveness. Since then, this ballet has become one of my absolute favorites.

https://soundcloud.com/haruyasu-umetsu/young-juliet

https://soundcloud.com/haruyasu-umetsu/mercutio

Pianoteq 8
Steingraeber E-272

from Tokyo, Japan
HAL

Young Juliet
Beautiful piece!   I like it.

Mercutio
Wow, what can I say, Prokofiev is really hard.

Thank you HAL, it's always a pleasant surprise to listen to your uploadsI

I was looking on yt at some parts, Royal Ballet in England. As someone said:  ” Simple in its story line, clear in its affirmation of the power of love over hate”. Greatest love story of the time.

If I remember correctly, I have only played one piece of Prokfviev, ”Children’s Pieces, opus 65,  no 4, Tarantella. People play this piece so incredibly fast, I can’t, but i like the piece.
Please give a short comment if you have time.

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=11062

Best wishes,

Stig

Reply by halpyoco

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Re: Prokofiev - from "Romeo and Juliet"

Thank you Stig!

Prokofiev's proficiency in composing theater music is truly masterful. It might have even influenced John Williams' film scores, don't you think?

Pianoteqenthusiast wrote:

If I remember correctly, I have only played one piece of Prokfviev, ”Children’s Pieces, opus 65,  no 4, Tarantella. People play this piece so incredibly fast, I can’t, but i like the piece.
Please give a short comment if you have time.

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=11062

Yeah. This is characteristic of Prokofiev: quirky yet charming. However, it's not a piece that children can easily play, although there are videos of children performing it.

Listening to this, you can see that Prokofiev's piano writing originates from Haydn.
Thank you for introducing this piece.

Best regards,
HAL