One of the established founders of Russian nationalism, Mily Balakirev recognized a possible protégé in the young Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky—and Tchaikovsky was happy to be taken under the older composer’s wing. Balakirev suggested to Tchaikovsky in 1869 that he write a composition based on Shakespeare’s great tragedy Romeo and Juliet, and the work was to become his first great symphonic composition. Tchaikovsky’s condensed version of the story focuses on the tension between the Montague and Capulet houses and the encompassing nature of Romeo and Juliet’s love. Tchaikovsky revised the score several times—the first time in 1870 at Balakirev’s suggestion. Balakirev particularly objected to the introduction—as he commented, “You need something … on the lines of Liszt’s chorales … with an ancient Catholic character … whereas your scene … bears quite a different character—the character in Haydn’s quartet themes, the genius of petty bourgeois music, awakening a strong thirst for beer.” In 1880, Tchaikovsky revised the work for the last time. Of particular note is how the composer melds the dramatic story with the dictates of the three-part sonata-allegro form. 

—©Jennifer More, 2025