Classical composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) is well-known for his Christmas-themed ballet, “The Nutcracker.” Another of his compositions has worked its way into the fabric of society but isn’t a household name. His “Overture-Fantasy,” a stand-alone work recreating the love story of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” is one of his celebrated works.
Premiering in the late 1800s, and written at the request of one of his mentors, the 20-minute movement is a great introduction to Tchaikovsky’s repertoire and can be heard in many contemporary movies and TV shows.
