b'PROGRAM NOTESunplayablepassages so fragmented, so clumsy, so badly written as to be beyond rescuethe music itself was bad, vulgaronly two or three pages were worth preservingthe rest must be thrown out or completely rewritten.It is true that this concerto is awkwardly constructed in places, with some abrupt musical transitions. The writing for the soloist is often exceedingly difficult, because Tchaikovsky was not a pianist and did not possess a players familiarity with the instrument. However, Rubensteins excessively negative reaction is nonetheless puzzling. After the majestic introduction, which anticipates the harmonic language of the following movements, the Andante non troppo continues with a theme Tchaikovsky borrowed from a Ukrainian folk song. Woodwinds introduce a gentler second theme, later echoed by the piano. The movement ends with a huge cadenza featuring a display of virtuoso solo fireworks.In the Andantino semplice, Tchaikovsky also features a borrowed melody, Il faut samuser, danser et rire (You must enjoy yourself by dancing and laughing) from the French cabaret. Tchaikovsky likely meant this tune as a wistful tribute to the soprano Dsire Artt, with whom he had been in love a few years previously. (In another musical compliment, Tchaikovsky used the letters of her name as the opening notes of a melody from the first movement). The galloping theme of the Allegro con fuoco, another Ukrainian folk song, suggests a troika of horses racing over The Steppes. A rhapsodic string melody recalls the lush texture of the introduction. The two melodies alternate and overlap, dancing toward a monumental coda.SERGEI PROKOFIEVSymphony from Romeo and Juliet COMPOSER: Born April 23, 1891, Sontsovka, Bakhmutsk region, Yekaterinoslav district, Ukraine; died March 5, 1953, MoscowWORK COMPOSED: Romeo and Juliet was originally commissioned by the Kirov Ballet in 1934; Prokofiev completed it for the Moscow Ballet in 1935-1936.WORLD PREMIERE: The first suite premiered in Moscow on November 24, 1936, and the second had its first performance in Leningradon April 15, 1937.INSTRUMENTATION: Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, tenor saxophone, 4 horns, cornet, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bamboo wind chimes, bass drum, bells, cymbals, maracas, snare drum, tambourine, triangle,xylophone, celeste, piano, harp, and stringsESTIMATED DURATION: 35 minutesS ergei Prokofievs score for a ballet featuring Shakespeares star-crossed lovers is some of the most evocative music associated with the story of Romeo and Juliet. The story of Prokofievs efforts to complete the task were equally fraught, and his resulting music caused great controversy. Originally commissioned by the Kirov Ballet in 1934, Prokofievs score was ultimately rejected by the Kirovs artistic director as undanceable. Problems began with Prokofievs original storyline, which dared to feature a happy ending in which Romeo finds Juliet alive. Prokofiev justified this shocking reversal with the practical explanation srsymphony.org2024-2025 Season 21'