Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov belong to different generations. Still, their legacies have many common features. They met at the Moscow Conservatory in the 1880s, at a time when the prestigious professor foresaw a bright future for that talented teenager. Tchaikovsky was the most famous Russian composer at that time, contributing works such as Romeo and Juliet, a symphonic poem based on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Among suggestive allusions to the confrontation between the Capulets and the Montagues, one of the most emblematic melodies of musical romanticism stands out in the score. Also a Romantic (a late one, that is), Rachmaninov was equally prodigal in melodic enchantment. In this case, we revisit his last major creation. The Symphonic Dances dates from 1940 and, in three movements, musically portrays “noon,” “sunset,” and “midnight.” It was even intended for a dance performance, but eventually resulted in something akin to a Symphony.
Symphonic Fantasies
Metropolitan Academic Orchestra
With EPM Students
P. I. Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
S. Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances
Jean-Marc Burfin and/or Orchestra Conducting Students – ANSO musical direction
