Comparison Of Romeo and Juliet & West Side Story
Dance of the Knights is one of the most recognizable pieces in Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. The storyline really drives this scene and the music as during this part in the ballet we see the Capulets and Montagues are locked in conflict. This hostility and tension between the two families is complemented and reflected in the intensity of the music and harsh timbre; achieved by the blurting and natural blowing techniques of the brass instruments. The instrumentation in Dance of the Knights includes instruments from the: woodwinds, brass, percussion, keyboard and strings families. This piece is written in ‘loose’ ternary form in 4/4, common time and begins strongly with very commanding and forceful dynamics for the listener. The intensity of the music is matched with the dancer’s choreography. Even though the dancer’s are just simply walking towards the audience, the immense grandeur and presence they hold creates cohesion between the music and choreography. The piece begins with a strong pulsating beat of the brass family, showcasing a common 20th century and Prokofiev trademark, motoric rhythms. The instrumentation of the strings and brass heard the piece add another layer of intensity and energy. Dissonant harmonies are heard throughout the music, a common occurrence in 20th century music. This piece is in ternary form (ABA). The intense dynamics heard throughout the music creates a unique and powerful piece while also the pesante tempo creates the fierce but noble atmosphere; mirrored also through the characters and choreography.
The ‘Jets’ song sets the atmosphere and mood for the rest of the film and is a significant part of establishing characters and some important themes depicted throughout the film. In both the ‘Prologue’ and the ‘Jet Song’, Berstien has used tritone’s and purposely not resolved them. Berstien has utilized the jarring and unnatural sound of the tritone in this song to establish an uncomfortable, perhaps ominous musical atmospheres in which violence seems likely to erupt. This allows the viewer to identify the rough and violent characters of the ‘Jets’ and in a sense layout out the violent and unfair events that will occur throughout the storyline. In Dance of The Knights this is demonstrated through the intense dynamics and dissonant harmonies creating that intense and fierce atmosphere between the two families. Berstein also experiments with rhythms and beats a lot in the ‘Jets Song.’ At the beginning of the song we are told that the piece is 6/8 metre but the melody line of the character Riff is still currently set in this metre but annotated as if it were in ¾ with three quarter notes. When both lines are played together it creates a swinging rhythm as well as the vocal line also having a swing feel. This jazz performance style of “swinging rhythms” Berstein has incorporated creates a more relaxed and groovy mood around the Jet characters for the listener compared to, the intense dynamics in Dance of The Knights demonstrating the scenes and characters vitality and regalness. The form for this piece is in loose ternary form.
Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story both have a lot in common as well as major contrasting aspects that set them apart. Although West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet both share a direct rendition of Shakespeare's original play, many of the themes and symbols in West Side Story are altered to fit the modern perspective. The characters have a direct correlation to each other, yet racial and current issues give them a new perspective. Many of the scenes structure and messages in both works reflect each other, for example the Balcony scene and ‘Maria’ but differences in: characterization of characters, plot sequences, themes and area of performing arts give them uniqueness.
A large differing element between the two works is that Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is a ballet and West Side Story is a Broadway musical and because of that, the music style is very contrasting. Prokofiev’s score includes many of his preferred styles (classical, search for innovation, toccata, lyrical and grotesque) but neoclassical and classical elements are prominently used. The natural flow, with confident, predictable rhythms and elusive imagination of Prokofiev’s score evidently presents the Classical style of this work. Contrasting, Bernstein’s West Side Story prominently focuses upon the unique and energetic rhythms that form a mix of Latin American music.
The differing styles and music of course is reflected through the brilliant choreography presented in both works. In Romeo and Juliet we see the choreography of classical ballet harmoniously mirror the immense detail and expressive melody placed into Prokofiev’s score, while also contrasting with the weak and airy moments of characters and storylines atmosphere. This strong link between the score and choreography evokes atmosphere and emotion for the viewer as it overall strengthens the connection to these raw characters and progression of the storyline. As the ballet includes raw and passionate choreography this is mirrored through the groundbreaking modern dance elements present in, West Side Story. The characters in this story were inseparable from their dance, making dance the main core and spotlight upon the struggles drama and individuality of each character; this is particularly evident in ‘The Dance at the Gym.’ However, the song was innate to the characters, actual lyrics being present evoked rawness from each character and transmitted themes such as love and hate in an authentic and realistic approach. Lyrics are obviously absent from Prokofiev’s score but the strong connection between the storyline and dancer’s movement still produces an expressive and unique work.
In summary, Prokofiev and Berstein, two influential composers of their time and still to this day both have created works that contrast and reflect each other immensely through different aspects; but are still both considered prestigious pieces that are still relevant to this day.
