Rowan Abdulrahim

SID: 900193010

Introduction to music
Dr. Azza Madian
14/12/2020

Concert Report on Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy-Overture 'Romeo and Juliet'

Introduction
On 16th of March 1870, Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky first presented the Fantasy-Overture

'Romeo and Juliet' in Moscow as his first version, which was ruthlessly criticized by Balakirev.

Tchaikovsky is regarded as one of the greatest of composers due to his beautiful melodies, his

command of structure, and definitely his rich harmonies and instrumental textures. He was kind

of a perfectionist, a self-critical, and also a criticism acceptor to a far way. Although he believed

it to be the best work he had yet done, he was still not persuaded by some parts regarding them

as inadequate. Therefore, he rewrote a second version which was published in 1871 and first

performed in St Petersburg on the 17 th of February 1872, substituting a new introduction and

editing a lot of the subsequent music. However, this was neither enough for him nor for

Balakirev due to some reservation on the last part. As a result, Tchaikovsky reproduce another

final version, the one which is heard today, published in 1881 and first performed in Tbilisi on

the 1st of May 1886. In this definitive version, he improved the last section enhancing an

improved culmination to the Recapitulation and a more fitting Coda. The Fantasy-Overture

‘Romeo and Juliet' is a concert overture in which Tchaikovsky invites the listener to use his/her

imagination about the characters and the events in the play. They clearly express personalities,

situations, relationships and feelings. It does not aim to tell the story, but instead introduces a

collection of musical themes that define the drama's significant elements, organized in a Sonata
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

form. Nevertheless, the intention of Tchaikovsky was to create the general mood of the

Shakespearean play.

Analysis
Fantasy-Overture 'Romeo and Juliet' follows a well-organized structure that continuously

changes the listeners’ mood and keeps them entertained. Structurally, it is done in sonata-allegro

form, which includes three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation, starting

with an introduction and ending with coda section. Moreover, it contains two major musical

themes: The Friar Laurence/Capulet & Montague theme, and the theme representing the love of

Romeo and Juliet. Obviously, Tchaikovsky succeeded in moving from a section to another very

smoothly drawing a wonderful symphony of an integrated musical art. A large orchestra

ensemble has been teamed up to produce this fabulous fantasy overture using many instruments

such as: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglias, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones,

tuba, timpani, percussion, harp and strings.

I am not an expert neither with the musical instruments nor the different movements of

music, but I will try to clarify what I understood from what I have listened and seen in this online

concert video, besides with my notes from the topics discussed in the class. In this report, I will

analyze the introduction section in more detail, while going briefly through the sections of

exposition, development. However, the analysis of recapitulation section, and coda section will

not be included in this report.

The concert starts with a relative long smooth rhythm introduction following the Friar

Lawrence as the main theme. This section begins with a series of woodwind instruments played

by the clarinet, followed by the second clarinet and two bassoons, leading to the strings and
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

horns, and returning to the woodwinds in full circle. The introduction centers around the key of F

sharp minor, leading eventually to the key of B minor and has a homophonic texture at first. It

has a hymn-like, chorale quality, with a very steady pulse. After that, Tchaikovsky beautifully

uses a break in music filled by the crash of the cymbals to indicate a swordfight. Flutes are then

added to signify the scurrying that normally takes place during a battle. For example, in bars 21–

26, an augmented version of motif a is played by flutes and clarinets, while divided cellos play in

counterpoint. The dominant C sharp played by the cellos and double basses at the end of bar 20

is a D flat pedal, also played by the double basses in bar 21. Fragments are exchanged between

woodwinds and strings to demonstrate metal scratching on metal. 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. As this part of the theme is repeated, tension begins

to increase; the opening wind chords over plucked strings become much quicker. However, in

bars 78–90, the music becomes more agitated. A chromatic version of the introductory theme

reaches a climax at bar 90 (Allegro). The timpani crescendo is then added in, making the tempo

speed up, leading into the second half of the first theme-the struggle between the Capulets and

Montagues. Alternations of the first inversion of B minor are heard between the woodwind and

the strings. The tension increases and in bar 112 the exposition section, Allegro giusto, begins.

Then, the exposition starts in bar 112 with the first subject being played by an orchestral

tutti, and characterized by strong, syncopated rhythms. This first subject is meant as a musical

description of the feud between the Montagues and Capulets, and of the street fighting between

the two families. More semiquaver scales lead to a modulating progression in bar 163 ending the

first subject leading to the transition in bar 164. In the transition, a shortened g motif is played
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

above the A pedal. Solo woodwind instruments are featured. This gentle passage appears to

anticipate a new theme in the key of D Major. Moving to the second subject of the exposition, it

has two main ideas. The first one, at bar 184, is the love theme which is played by the cor

anglais and the muted violas in the key of D flat major, while the second subject b is played

pianissimo by divided and muted strings. Although chromatic coloring is present, the music

remains in the key of the D flat major. After that, the exposition ends with the violas playing a

semi-breve F, heading into the development section. In the development section, it is primarily

focused on First Subject material, coupled with the Chorale theme appearances. The first subject

is developed. Motif m features prominently in this fortissimo section, played repeatedly by

woodwind, brass and strings. Then, the tension increases, as in bars 143–150, with rushing scale

passages, which have their origins in motif e, heard. This eventually leads to the Dominant pedal,

preparing for the recapitulation section and then moving to the ending in coda section.

Conclusion

Overall, I truly enjoyed the

concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
listening to the music, I feel I
have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

in general. I feel much more

comfortable being able to
dissect pieces of music than I
did at the
beginning of this class and even
at the beginning of this paper!
Overall, I truly enjoyed the
concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
listening to the music, I feel I
have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
in general. I feel much more
comfortable being able to
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

dissect pieces of music than I

did at the
beginning of this class and even
at the beginning of this paper!
Overall, I truly enjoyed the
concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
listening to the music, I feel I
have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
in general. I feel much more
comfortable being able to
dissect pieces of music than I
did at the
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

beginning of this class and even

at the beginning of this paper!
Overall, I truly enjoyed the
concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
listening to the music, I feel I
have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
in general. I feel much more
comfortable being able to
dissect pieces of music than I
did at the
beginning of this class and even
at the beginning of this paper!
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

Overall, I truly enjoyed the

concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
listening to the music, I feel I
have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
in general. I feel much more
comfortable being able to
dissect pieces of music than I
did at the
beginning of this class and even
at the beginning of this paper
Overall, I truly enjoyed the
concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

listening to the music, I feel I

have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
in general. I feel much more
comfortable being able to
dissect pieces of music than I
did at the
beginning of this class and even
at the beginning of this paper
Overall, I truly enjoyed the
concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
listening to the music, I feel I
have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

in general. I feel much more

comfortable being able to
dissect pieces of music than I
did at the
beginning of this class and even
at the beginning of this paper
Overall, I truly enjoyed the
concert that was put on, and
a=er wring the paper and
listening to the music, I feel I
have a greater understanding for
the classical music and musical
in general. I feel much more
comfortable being able to
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

dissect pieces of music than I

did at the
beginning of this class and even
at the beginning of this paper
Overall, I truly enjoyed the concert, and after writing the paper and listening to the music,

I feel I have a greater understanding for the classical music and musical in general. To be

honest, I loved the introduction because I think it was the easiest to understand for the first time

as a listener. The artist was amazing; he was in complete control. I feel much more comfortable

being able to dissect pieces of music than I did at the beginning of this class and even at the

beginning of this paper. Therefore, I am very happy about that results and very thankful to my

professor for giving me the chance going through this amazing experience. In conclusion, thank

you for reading my concert report, and I’m definitely planning to attend live concerts; I have a

feeling that they will be much more energetic and so more interesting.

I will be honest, I loved the

Trio because I think was the
easiest to
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

understand for the first time

as a listener. The cello caught
my attention during
the piece, the artist was
amazing; she was in complete
control of her instrument,
I will be honest, I loved the
Trio because I think was the
easiest to
understand for the first time
as a listener. The cello caught
my attention during
Rowan Abdulrahim
SID: 900193010

the piece, the artist was

amazing; she was in complete
control of her instrument,
In conclusion, thank you for
reading my concert
report, and I’m definitely
planning to go more often to
see a concert.