| What is the general mood of the introduction, and what character(s) in the story of Romeo and Juliet does that mood represent? | Somewhat like a religious hymn, but somewhat foreboding as well; it represents Friar Laurence. |
| What is the general mood of the first theme that starts after the introduction, and what character(s) in the story of Romeo and Juliet does that mood represent? | Very agitated with rushing strings and cymbal crashes; it represents the feud between the families. |
| What is the general mood of the second theme, and what character(s) in the story of Romeo and Juliet does that mood represent? | Flowing love theme; it represents the love between Romeo and Juliet. |
| In the coda, Tchaikovsky brilliantly presents the love theme and the feud theme fighting each other. Which theme takes over the other, and how does that fit the story of the play? | The feud theme takes over the love theme just as the family feud caused the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. |
| Does this piece follow the sonata form in the same way that a piece from the classical period would have followed it? | Not really, because the introduction is longer than usual for the classical period, and the exposition is not repeated. |
| What is the tempo? | The tempo varies as the mood changes. |
| If you were going to describe this composition to a friend, what might you say? | This piece varies its form and tempo, which is not surprising given that breaking away from formal conventions was part of the romantic spirit. |
Music – Romeo and Juliet Overture by Tchaikovsky
August 31, 2019