Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet: Ten Piano Pieces Op. 75 Piano Book

Edition Peters

Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet: Ten Piano Pieces Op. 75 Piano Book 📚

10 Pieces for Young Pianists 

Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is his longest and most significant ballet, now beautifully arranged by the composer into Ten Piano Pieces Op. 75—a suite of ten movements for solo piano. This collection includes the iconic ‘Dance of the Knights,’ along with other evocative pieces that capture the drama and emotion of the original ballet. With 44 pages of music, this book offers young pianists a chance to explore Prokofiev's masterful compositions in an accessible format.

Song Titles Include:

1. Popular dance / Volkstanz
2. Scene / Szene
3. Minuet / Menuett
4. Juliet the girl / Julia als Mädchen
5. Masks / Masken
6. The Montagues and Capulets (Dance of the Knights) / Die Montagues und Capulets (Tanz der Ritter)
7. Father Lorenzo / Pater Lorenzo
8. Mercutio
9. Dance of the girls with lilies / Tanz der Mädchen mit den Lilien
10. Romeo and Juliet before parting / Romeo und Julia vor der Trennung

Who Was Sergei Prokofiev?

Sergei Prokofiev (often spelled "Prokofieff") was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, considered one of the major figures of 20th-century classical music. Born on April 23, 1891, in Sontsovka, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire), and passing away on March 5, 1953, in Moscow, Prokofiev's life and career spanned a period of intense change in both Russia and the world.

Prokofiev was a prodigy, composing his first piano piece at the age of five and his first opera at nine. He went on to study at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where his talents in composition, piano, and conducting were quickly recognised. Early in his career, Prokofiev gained a reputation as an avant-garde composer, known for his daring harmonies, innovative structures, and energetic rhythms.

Some of his most famous works include:

1. **Peter and the Wolf** - A beloved children's story told through music, where each character is represented by a different instrument or musical theme.
2. **Romeo and Juliet** - A ballet based on Shakespeare's play, renowned for its powerful and evocative music.
3. **Piano Concertos** - Prokofiev composed five piano concertos, which are staples in the repertoire and known for their technical difficulty and lyrical beauty.
4. **Symphonies** - He composed seven symphonies, with the "Classical Symphony" (Symphony No. 1) being one of the most famous, reflecting a modern take on classical forms.
5. **War Sonatas** - His Piano Sonatas Nos. 6, 7, and 8, often referred to as the "War Sonatas," are among his most challenging and profound works.

Prokofiev's style is characterised by its melodic invention, rhythmic drive, and a unique blend of modernism and traditionalism. He composed in a wide variety of genres, including operas, ballets, symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. Despite the political upheavals of his time, including the Russian Revolution and World War II, Prokofiev's music remained vibrant and influential.

His later years were marked by a return to the Soviet Union, where he had a complex relationship with the government. While he achieved great success, he also faced criticism and censorship during the Stalinist regime, particularly for some of his more experimental works. Despite these challenges, Prokofiev continued to compose prolifically until his death. His music remains widely performed and loved today, admired for its innovation, expressiveness, and technical brilliance.