Romeo and Juliet
Prokofiev and Poulenc with conductor Tabita Berglund and the charismatic Jussen brothers.
The Jussen brothers made a splash at Konserthuset in 2023 when they debuted with a program for four-handed piano. "Something quite extraordinary in front of a packed hall with an unusually young audience," wrote the reviewer for Dagens Nyheter, giving the concert the highest rating.
Now, the Jussen brothers return to the main stage, this time alongside the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Tabita Berglund in Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos. It’s music that carries Poulenc's signature: elegance, melodic warmth, and imagination.
The pair of Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare's drama are themselves the epitome of young love and intense, flaming passion with a tragic ending. With powerful chords and dramatic melodies, Prokofiev's well-known ballet music portrays the swirling emotions.
Between Poulenc and Prokofiev: Lili Boulanger's D'un soir triste, a sad evening, which from a quiet beginning grows strong and compelling. Outstanding and deeply personal music by the young and severely ill Lili, who died of Crohn's disease shortly after writing the music in 1918.
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The music
Approximate times -
Francis Poulenc Concerto for two pianos and orchestra19 min
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Encore:
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Igor Roma Strausseinander - Paraphrase on Melodies from Johann Strauss Jr.’s operetta Die Fledermaus4 min
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Intermission30 min
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Lili Boulanger D’un soir triste11 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 25 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Young Juliet from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 24 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Scene from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 14 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Dance from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 22 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Masks from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 15 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Romeo and Juliet ”Balcony Scene” from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 18 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Morning Dance from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 32 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Friar Lawrence from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 23 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Death of Tybalt from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 14 min
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Sergej Prokofjev Romeo at the Grave of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 26 min
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Participants
- Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
- Tabita Berglund conductor
- Lucas & Arthur Jussen piano