Mikhail Pletnev - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 Romeo & Juliet

Not many world-famous composers have been equally successful at writing both absolute and program music. Moreover, only a mere handful has managed to achieve something truly extraordinary in both genres. One of these composers was Peter Tchaikovsky. When inspired by great literature, his passion for reading likely stood him in good stead: after all, as far as Tchaikovsky was concerned, reading ranked "among the greatest moments of pleasure." In his program music, his priority was not to elaborate a literary program, or provide a detailed sketch of the action; rather, he preferred to portray the psyche of the characters and their development, as well as the emotional impasses and vortexes into which they maneuvered themselves, or into which they were drawn. His Fantasy-Overture Romeo and Juliet is a perfect example of this psychologising music.