Program
• Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture
• Shostakovich: Funeral March from The Great Citizen, Op. 55
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, Op. 55
Balancing the yin-yang of Conflict & Peace
Conflict arises when there are opposing interests or goals, often leading to tension and discord, but it can also be a catalyst for positive change and growth. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but involves the resolution of disputes through dialogue and justice.
Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet Overture
Conflict with consequence.
The conflict between the Montague and Capulet families in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is rooted in an ancient feud whose origins are never explicitly detailed in the play. This longstanding grudge is presented as a backdrop to the story, creating conflict that affects not only the families but also the citizens of Verona. The lack of a specific cause for the feud emphasizes its senseless nature and highlights the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet's love, which ultimately leads to the reconciliation of the two families.
We will start our concert with the overture to Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" – a work styled as a “fantasy overture” composed in 1869 with its final version completed in 1880 after several revisions.
You can hear the theme of conflict with the pulsating rhythm of the “strife theme” that depicts the violent feud between the Montague and Capulet families and the portrayal of peace with the “Friar Lawence theme representing reason and peacekeeping. Harp chords near the end herald peace, though the final syncopated chords hint at lingering unease between the families.
Through these musical devices, Tchaikovsky effectively portrays the central themes of conflict and peace in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, creating a powerful auditory representation of the story's emotional and dramatic elements.
Shastakovich's Funeral March, Op. 55
Triumph & liberty over personal struggles
Dmitri Shostakovich's "Funeral March" is part of the music he composed for the film "The Great Citizen," Op. 55. This piece is included in the score for the second part of the film and is noted for its somber and reflective character, fitting the context of a funeral march. "The Great Citizen," a 1938 Soviet biopic film, was created as ideological support for the Great Purges, illustrating life in the USSR during the 1920's and 1930's.
Shostakovich's Funeral March from "The Great Citizen" represents themes of conflict and peace in the following ways:
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The march is based on the 19th century revolutionary song You Fell As A Victim, a Russian Marxist and revolutionary funeral march. It acted as the funeral dirge of the Russian revolutionary movement, among them the Bolsheviks, thus connecting it to historical conflicts and struggles for social change.
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As a funeral march, the piece inherently deals with the aftermath of conflict, honoring those who have fallen and reflecting on loss.
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Transformation of themes: By incorporating a revolutionary song into a formal classical piece, Shostakovich may be suggesting a transformation of conflict into a more structured, peaceful form of expression. The use of a well-known revolutionary song speaks to shared experiences of conflict and the collective process of mourning and seeking peace.
Composed during a time of political tension in the Soviet Union, the piece may reflect broader themes of conflict and the search for peace in Shostakovich's society.
Beethoven's Symphony #3
Beethoven's "heroic" symphony
Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, known as the "Eroica," powerfully explores themes of conflict and peace through its musical structure and emotional content. The first 2 movements establish a sense of conflict and struggle, as well as its aftermath. The piece begins with two explosive chords, signaling a call to arms.
The 3rd and 4th movements transition and eventually resolve toward peace. The finale has been interpreted as representing the hero's works of peace, contrasting with the earlier conflict. The symphony concludes with a triumphant climax, resolving the struggles presented earlier in the piece.
Throughout the symphony, Beethoven uses musical techniques to represent the journey from conflict to peace through the artful use of dissonance, rhythmic complexity, and dramatic contrasts in the earlier movements to depict struggle, gradually moving toward more harmonious and resolved themes in the later movements.
Originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Beethoven admired for his democratic ideals, the dedication was retracted after Napoleon declared himself Emperor in 1804. This change reflected Beethoven's disillusionment with Napoleon, leading him to rename the work "Eroica," meaning "heroic." It remains a pivotal work in the classical cannon to this day.