Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2, Op. 64b (1936)

Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2, Op. 64b, is one of the orchestral suites drawn from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet, based on Shakespeare’s play. The suite assembles selected movements from the ballet, presenting key moments of the drama through contrasted musical scenes.

Among its most characteristic sections is The Young Girl Juliet, which portrays the heroine at the age of fourteen. The music reflects her youthful energy through quick, light textures—particularly in the skipping violin figures—before shifting to a more lyrical middle section. The return of lively material conveys her playful spirit, while a more introspective passage suggests a moment of self-reflection as she begins to perceive herself as a young woman.

The suite also includes Juliet’s Funeral, a scene of profound dramatic weight. Here, the music accompanies the moment at Juliet’s tomb, as mourners carry in her body while she lies in a death-like state. The atmosphere underscores the tragic misunderstanding that leads Romeo to take poison before she awakens.

Through these contrasted episodes, Op. 64b highlights Prokofiev’s ability to translate character and situation into musical terms, juxtaposing youthful vitality with the gravity of tragedy within a concise orchestral form.

_____________

Movements
1. The Montagues and the Capulets
2. Juliet - the little girl
3. Friar Laurence
4. Dance
5. Romeo and Juliet before parting
6. Dance of the Maids from the Antilles
7. Romeo and Juliet's grave