I got a call over the weekend from a friend who plays in the Missoula Symphony Orchestra. He called to alert me to one of the pieces on the upcoming pair of concerts by the MSO.
“I don’t know if you know the Prokofiev,” he said, referring to a suite of music from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet, “Romeo and Juliet.”
“But this should really be something to hear, if we can pull it off,” he said. “I think it will be the highlight of the season.”
There’s a really big “if” in that statement. And that’s no knock to the MSO.
Never in recent memory has the orchestra attempted something so insanely challenging, so wildly multitextured. If the MSO can simply play this music without falling apart, it’ll be a resounding achievement.
Don’t know what I mean? Check out this video. This is one of the world’s best, full-time professional orchestras playing a section from “Romeo and Juliet.” Hold onto your hat.
The MSO will be playing that same music this weekend, according to conductor Darko Butorac. I asked him in email if he’s really playing that particular section of the score (the MSO is playing selections from the 2 1/2 hour ballet). He replied:
Yes! And this too – you see why I am getting grey hair this week?
Here’s the second link he sent; this is from the Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story,” featured on the first half of this weekend’s program:
This should be an interesting concert, to say the least. I can’t wait.
The Missoula Symphony presents “Forbidden Love,” a program of music by Gershwin, Bernstein, and Prokofiev, in two concerts this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21 and 22. Saturday’s performance begins at
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