“If music be the food of love, play on,” said William Shakespeare. His Romeo and Juliet inspired many a composer to depict his tale of unrequited love. The Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev wrote the music for a ballet version of the play that instantly became so popular, the music alone was soon demanded in concert halls all over the world. We have crafted a suite of this ballet music that captures the entire story in Prokofiev’s incredibly descriptive musical language. Juxtaposed alongside Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story, a short medley of tunes from the 1950’s retelling of Shakespeare.
Also featured on this program celebrating all things love, is Richard Strauss’ Don Juan, the uber-romantic tone poem from 1888 that musically depicts the legendary story of the fictitious Spanish Casanova and his pursuit of true love. Don Juan has become one of the most popular and celebrated pieces of late German romanticism, giving the listener amorously heroic melodies to savor along with dazzling virtuosic orchestral writing.
The same year Strauss’ Don Juan premiered, Max Steiner, the composer of over 300 film scores, was born. Our program will begin with his music from one of the greatest romantic films of all time, Casablanca.
Program:
Steiner, Casablanca Suite.......8 mins
R. Strauss, Don Juan.......18 mins
Bernstein, Selections from West Side Story.......10 mins
Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet Suite.......25 mins
6PM - Classical Conversations with Music Director Stefan Sanders and Chris Vaneman, Director of Petrie School of Music at Converse College
7PM - Performance
Things to note: Valet Parking provided at no cost. Refreshments are available for purchase.