Prokofiev’s imaginative orchestration has made the ballet Romeo and Juliet world-famous, primarily through the orchestral suites as opposed to the ballet as a whole. Unmistakably a child of the Rimsky-Korsakov school of orchestration, Prokofiev’s orchestra arsenal for the ballet includes tenor saxophone, four mandolins, cornet, celesta, organ, piano and a number of percussion instruments. This richness in orchestration allows for unique timbres that the composer employs in the illustration of one of the world’s most iconic love stories. While Russian music has been integral to the Oslo Philharmonic’s recording and performance schedule in the three years that Vasily Petrenko has been at the helm, it has held an important position in the orchestra repertoire dating back to its recordings with Jansons in the 1980s and 1990s. The exploration of this vast musical catalogue is set to continue in the orchestra’s future projects with Petrenko, whose tenure as Chief Conductor was recently renewed until the 2019-20 seasion. The Oslo Philharmonic is known for its spirit of discovery and its reputation for finesse. Under new Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko, it works at the highest levels of detail and style. The orchestra travels the globe, but never feels more at home than on their stage in the Oslo Concert Hall.
