Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64

LAWO / 2016

This stunning recording presents Prokofiev’s scintillating score for his ballet Romeo and Juliet, recorded here in its entirety – which is a first for the orchestra as well as its conductor. The Oslo Philharmonic recorded Suites Nos. 1 and 2 under Mariss Jansons in 1989, but never the complete ballet up until this point.

Prokofiev’s imaginative orchestration has made the ballet Romeo and Juliet world-famous, primarily through the orchestral suites as opposed to the ballet as a whole. Unmistakably a child of the Rimsky-Korsakov school of orchestration, Prokofiev’s orchestra arsenal for the ballet includes tenor saxophone, four mandolins, cornet, celesta, organ, piano and a number of percussion instruments.

The Bolshoi premiere of Romeo and Juliet was postponed, with the official reasons given were that the ballet was too ‘difficult’ and its music ‘impossible to dance to’, however it is believed that there were other underlying reasons of a more politically complicated nature. The ballet finally saw its premiere in Brno, Czechoslovakia, in 1938, with a revised version being performed at the Mariinsky Theatre – renamed Kirov Theatre – in 1940. It is this version of Romeo and Juliet that has become one of the twentieth century’s most performed and recorded ballets.

The Oslo Philharmonic’s creative partnership with the LAWO label continues to grow; already in the pipeline is the next instalment of the orchestra’s complete Scriabin symphony cycle, the first being the 2015 recording of Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4, which will be the composer’s Symphony No. 1 with Alisa Kolosova and Maksim Aksenov as soloists.

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64, Act I
Introduction
Romeo
The Street Wakens
Morning Dance
The Quarrel
The Fight
The Duke’s Command
Interlude
At the Capulets’ (preparations for the Ball)
The Young Juliet
Arrival of the Guests
Masks
Dance of the Knights
Juliet’s Variation
Mercutio
Madrigal
Tybalt Recognizes Romeo
Gavotte
Balcony Scene
Romeo’s Variation
Love Dance

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64, Act II
Folk Dance
Romeo and Mercutio
Dance of the Five Couples
Dance with Mandolins
Nurse
The Nurse and Romeo
Romeo at Friar Laurence’s
Juliet at Friar Laurence’s
Public Merrymaking
Further Public Festivities
Meeting of Tybalt and Mercutio
The Duel
Death of Mercutio
Romeo Decides to Avenge Mercutio
Finale

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64, Act III
Introduction
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo Bids Juliet Farewell
Nurse
Juliet Refuses to Marry Paris
Juliet Alone
Interlude
At Friar Laurence’s Cell
45. Interlude
Juliet’s Room
47. Juliet Alone
Aubade
Dance of the Girls with Lilies
At Juliet’s Bedside
Juliet’s Funeral

“The first impression is very positive: the Introduction – warmly expressive, flexible and exuding interpretative confidence – promises an outstanding performance…all the main characters are vividly drawn…a very fresh and vibrant new account, the first and final acts as great as any available.” – BBC Music Magazine

“When tenderness is required, as in Act 3 Scene 10 (Romeo Bids Juliet Farewell), the Oslo players are full of heart and warmth. Lovely playing all round, with beautiful solos (woodwind particularly) and clean ensemble.” – The Guardian