Elim Chan & The Concertgebouw Orchestra - Prokofjev's Romeo & Juliet

Elim Chan conducts Prokofiev and Mendelssohn

Elim Chan returns to the Concertgebouw Orchestra with two appealing works: a colourful selection from Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet is preceded by Mendelssohn's sunny Fourth Symphony. In that 'Italian' symphony, the only 24-year-old Mendelssohn incorporated his impressions of a tour through Italy. The rolling landscapes, the Venetian gondolas, the art treasures in Florence and Rome, the people and their culture, everything resonates in this optimistic music full of Mediterranean warmth.

Romeo and Juliet

Thanks to Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet have been world-famous for centuries. The rivalry between their families stood in the way of their love, and such a romance is, of course, doomed to failure. This inspired Prokofiev to create a ballet full of catchy music: each piece is more beautiful than the other. Conductor Elim Chan presents her selection.