Romeo and Juliet, musical sketches, Op. 56 (1956)

Dmitry Kabalevsky’s Romeo and Juliet, musical sketches, Op. 56, was assembled in 1956 from incidental music composed for a Moscow theatrical production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The suite is formed from a selection of “musical sketches” drawn from the original stage score.

The work consists of ten contrasting sections, presenting a sequence of varied musical episodes. These include depictions of different dramatic situations and moods derived from the Shakespearean narrative, ranging from lyrical and expressive passages to more darkly colored and intense moments.

The final section, Death and Reconciliation, is notably extended in duration compared to the other sketches and functions as a large-scale conclusion to the suite.

The Symphonic Suite reflects Kabalevsky’s approach to transforming incidental theatre music into a concert work, preserving the diversity of the original material while organizing it into a structured orchestral sequence.

1. Introduction (Enmity and Love)] Largo con gravita · Poco meno mosso · Tempo I
2. Morning in Verona Andantino tranquillo
3. Preparations for the Ball Allegro vivace
4. Procession of the Guests Marciale maestoso ·Tempo I ma poco più mosso
5. Merry Dance Presto · Tempo I
6. Lyrical Dance (Meeting of Romeo and Juliet)] Andante con moto· Poco più agitato
7. In Lorenzo’s Hermitage Adagio con moto · Tempo I ma poco più mosso. Appassionato · Poco a poco più agitato · Più mosso · Drammatico (poco meno mosso) · Tempo I
8. Scene on the Square Presto · Andante molto sostenuto · Allegro molto · Andante · Allegro molto · Allegro molto · Andante · Presto · Andante · Presto · Più mosso
9. Romeo and Juliet Agitato · Agitato · Andante · Agitato · Strepitoso · Andante · Agitato (ma non troppo) · più tranquillo · Andante con moto · Agitato · Andante come prima
10. Finale (Death and Reconciliation)] Andante sostenuto. Drammatico · Poco meno mosso · Andante ·Poco meno mosso · Meno mosso. Amoroso · Poco meno