FORMS

AND
ANALYSIS 2

WRITTEN REPORT
ON

TCHAIKOVKSY’S
ROMEO AND JULIET
FATASY OVERTURE


JEDRICK VILLANUEVA ITUGOT


Pyotr Iilyich Tchaikovsky was born in 1840 - 1893 (53 Years old), He is a Russian
Russian Romantic Era composer and he was the first Russian composer to impact
the wider western music landscape.

Tchaikovsky was born in a small Russian town called Votkinsk. His father Iya
Tchaikovsky was a military man, from a long line of military men and His mother
Alexandra Tchaikovsky was German/French woman, and considerably younger
than his father. The Tchaikovsky family was always capable in the arts, due to
living in a small town and having the need of entertainment.


Tchaikovsky has 6 siblings, and when his mother died his father remarry, and he
had more siblings.

His sister Alexander Davydova and his twin brothers, Anatoly Tchaikovsky and
Modest Tchaikovsky was the closest to him out of all of his siblings.



Tchaikovsky was a smart child, at the age of 6 he was fluent in French and
German, by the age of 8, he was able to sight read music. His parents were
supportive of his musical education, but they didn’t consider it as a career path.
His parents sent him to Imperial School of Jurisprudence in St. Petersburg. It was
during his studies in school when his mother died in Cholera in 1854, that inspires
him to write his first piece which was a waltz. Once he finished his studies, he got
a real job as a civil servant, however he did not want it, and realize that it is not
the path that he wanted. He quit and went to arts.


St. Petersburg was opened in 1862, and he was one of the first students of the
conservatory. He has serious music study with well known musicians such as
Anton Rubinstein. The conservatory had a big impact on Tchaikovsky developing
style, because it expose him to broader range of European music which
Tchaikovsky has his own musical style. Although not all people like his
compositions, like when he submitted his first symphony to be performed,
Rubinstein and other instructors didn’t like and they made him revised it.

Tchaikovsky was given an excellent job opportunity when he graduated in 1865.
Anton Rubinstein brother, Nikolai Rubinstein was the one that gave Tchaikovsky a
chance to be a professor in music theory at the Moscow Conservatory.







While he taught as a professor, he also composed musics, and wrote music
criticisms. From one of his critics, he really like Beethoven style, but he doesn’t
like Brahms music style. He also critics Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” and thought as
‘cool’, but the music doesn’t make sense. He also wrote about the poor state of
Russian Opera during that time.

Tchaikovsky didn’t immediately rise to stardom, and it is because of the mix
reactions of his music from the people .However, there were positive reactions
and like his works including the piano performer Hans von Bulow, this people are
the one who help Tchaikovsky climb the musical ladder. The musical landscape
was also changing in the late part. One of his well-known composition was
written during this time (1869-1870), he wrote the Romeo and Juliet symphonic
poem, and this one of Tchaikovsky’s favorite music that he wrote.

In 1870, Tchaikovsky met his first fiance, there were 3 women in his life actually,
his first fiance was Desiree Artot. Antonina Miliukova, who he actually married
temporarily, and Nadezhda von Meck. The first two women didn’t actually work
out. His brief marriage to Antonina was a particular source of stress for Pyotr, he
had to pay her monthly, and made his life miserable. The last women Nadezha,
his relationship with her was much better. She was a widow, and started a mail-
correspondence with Tchaikovsky as his marriage with Antonina died. Nadezhda,
financially supported Tchaikovsky for 13 years, by that he was able to travel, had
a tour and compose his music. Their friendship was very close but also strange as
they talk through letters and over 1200 and they never met in person or talk even
though they have seen each other. Nadezhda new that Tchaikovsky was
homosexual, even though she had a romantic interest in him, she didn’t pursue
him.



In 1870’s and 1880’s. Tchaikovsky did a lot of traveling in Europe during this time.
He went with his brother Modest in Paris, where his a Bizet Carmen performed.
He went to a festival that is devoted to Wagner’s Ring Cycle. He met Liszt in
during his travel.

The Russian Musical Society was founded in 1859, and that gave Tchaikovsky the
opportunity to attend Russian-focused concerts, and take some music theory
classes.


Apart of Tchaikovsky’s fame had to do with the Author Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who
made a speech in favor of Universal unity. At the time, Russians weren’t that big
fan of foreign music. The fusion of western styles of Tchaikovsky wasn’t that
appreciated. Eventually, the Russians changed their minds after hearing
Dostoyevsky speech, and they accept the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

During the time in 1881, Tchaikovsky wrote his famous “1812 Overture”. But in
his own opinion, he actually didn’t feel and love it.


In 1881 he composed his famous “Piano Trio in A Minor” which he dedicated it to
his mentor and the one who gave him a opportunity to be a professor at Moscow
Conservatory, Nikolai Rubinstein who died. This composition was widely popular.
Tchaikovsky started to create a change of phase, he wanted to settle down and
have a home, this was also the time where he is considered to be the premier
court composer in St. Petersburg.

Tchaikovsky became more involved in promoting Russian music. He then started
conducting Russian music. He also conducts during tours. He conducted his 5th
Symphony in his own premiere. He toured to many cities including Berlin, Paris,
London. During his tour, he had the opportunity to meet well-known composers
like Brahms, Dvorak. It was his new found fondness in conducting that led him to
the United states.


When he was in the United States, Tchaikovsky led the orchestra in Carnegie Hall,
Philadelphia in his festival coronation March.

Tchaikovsky’s famous The Sleeping Beauty ballet was created and performed
during his time period in 1890, His La Dame De Pique (The Queen of Spades)
Opera, it receive different reactions and reviews from the people. Tchaikovsky
himself, thinks that the music from is was one of the best in the world of opera.
He also has another famous ballet The Nutcracker.


He still continued to travel and tour even though Nadezhda was unable to
continue to support Tchaikovsky financially. In 1893, Tchaikovsky receives an
honorary doctorate at Cambridge University. Tchaikovsky was considered one of
the greatest composers. Because of his fame and success. He was demand
everywhere.

Tchaikovsky’s new symphony No. 6 “Pathetique” was premiered in 1893. While
he’s in states. He had a lot of performances in a lot of countries like Moscow,
Paris, etc. But he was able to do it, He died. He was ill and died in the age of 53.
He died because of Cholera, which was the same cause of his mother’s death.


In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a long feud between
the Montague and Capulet families disrupts the city of Verona and
cause tragic results for Romeo and Juliet. Revenge, love, and a
secret marriage force the young star-crossed lovers to grow up
quickly – and fate causes them to commit suicide in despair.







An overture in an orchestral independent instrumental work which
serves as the introduction part to the opera or a piece. One of its type is a
Concert Overture which is a piece of music in the style of an overture but
intended for independent performance rather than an opera. Tchaikovky’s
Romeo and Juliet Overture is a Program Music as Narrative because it is
based on a series of events as written on the novel of William Shakesphere.
Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture is also an independent one movement
work. It is also considered as a Fantasy because its element allows us to
indulge our imagination when listening to it. It is in common time and it is in
B minor. It is in an Extended Sonata form which is divided into 3 sections:
Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation that is based on three main
themes, each of which has its own specific features.






TCHAIKOVSKY STYLE was my personal favorite style considering he is
my favorite romantic composer because of its very creativity and uses lots of
different combinations of instruments. He also used lots of contrasting keys,
tempo, and textures in the music. He also likes to write scale passage and
obviously, a genius in writing a unique and very beautiful melody line









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.

STRIFE THEME is a conflict that puts a tragic end to Romeo and Juliet’s love.
Conflict is at the heart of Shakespeare’s play (feuding Capulet and Montague
families). 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. It is also known as the first subject in
Sonata Form.

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

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
recapituation sections of the work, it combines with the Strife theme to
show how Friar Lawrence attempted to resolve the conflict.








nd
The 2 Friar Theme was played by the woodwinds especially the flutes on oboes
in marcato style, after the opening pizzicato of the strings which is a scale
passages.












rd
The 3 Friar theme was after the E timpani roll followed by the pyramid
harmonization/accented entrance of the strings to be followed by the suspension
chord of the woodwind section.

rd
The 3 Friar theme as played by the woodwinds, accompanied by the tremolo
strings and timpani roll. There was an accelerando and crescendo, and then the
accented timpani roll concludes the theme with diminuendo.









The STRIFE 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.










The 2nd Time we hear the STRIFE THEME is in D minor – G minor – B minor.
It is played as canon by cello and double bass followed by
piccolo/flute/oboe. The Imitation is at the octave and double octave. Canon
is repeated at 4th higher. The texture is Polyphonic because it is played as a
canon.










The 3rd Time we hear the STRIFE THEME, flute, violin and trumpet are the
instruments that is used. It is in B minor – D major. The Intensity of
dynamics became louder in Fortissimo. The Brass instruments join in, and
Timpani more involved.








The Love theme part 1 is in Key of D flat Major. It is in Homophonic texture,
the melody on Cor anglais and viola with syncopated horns in background.
Wide leaps in 1st time, Pizz cello and double basses. It also rises the arpeggio
of the Harp.










The LOVE THEME PART 2, it continuous crotchets, and the texture is in
homophonic. The division of the strings is in 4 parts and it is muted (con
sordini). Wide leaps, and has repeated notes.










Gradually more instruments are added to thicken the texture.

Semi quaver scale introduction passage in LOVE THEME PART 1.











In LOVE THEME PART 1, Flutes and oboes are in a higher register.
It introduces by rising semiquavers in flute and oboe.
The strings, Pizz cello and double bass, and Rocking/broken chords was played by
violin and viola. No percussion was played. It is repeated
Exactly as the above but this time the Clarinets join in with the flutes and oboes.
Bass trombone also joins. A short Codetta brings the section to an end with the
harp playing crotchet chords.
















Presently, majority of the orchestras worldwide are using the 3rd
version of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. Tchaikovsky did 3
revisions of the music and in some reasons the 3rd one has been
popular worldwide and also because maybe Tchaikovsky wanted
the 3rd version to be performed.

In addition, Tchaikovsky used different instruments of the orchestra
to symbolise materials, characters, scenes and events in symphonic
poem. He used the flute and the horns as the dialogue of Romeo
and Juliet during the Love theme and during the event/scene of the
conflict and war between the two families: Montague and Capulet,
he used the crash cymbals on accented and syncopated parts of the
tutti part as the sign of the splashing of the swords during the war
and conflict of the two families. later on at the final part of the
music, Tchaikovsky used the timpani to symbolise the heart beat of
both lovers, Romeo and Juliet. The woodwind choral and the string
section especially the violins symbolises the death of Romeo and
Juliet concluded by the loud timpani roll and the tutti of the
orchestra in B Major; and ends the music with a strong unison and
octaves of the note B natural.