Thread: Montagues and Capuletes, Still Useable or Totally Co-Opted?

I had planned to use Prokofirv's Montagues and Capulets in a routine, as I think it's perfect for denoting the entrance of a strong, powerful woman. Howver I watch about zero reality tv and had no idea its the theme from/is used in The Apprentice! So here's the question, do you think there is still mileage in this piece of music, or has it been completley co-opted by The Apprentice to the point it could only be used in effectivley in an act that was a parody of the tv show?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljOMXgfflRI"]YouTube - Prokofiev - Romeo And Juliet - Montagues And Capulets[/ame]

I know Immodesty uses it to great effect in her rocking horse routine, and I would hate to think that such a great piece of music could be so tightly associated to the image of Alan Sugar! Could someone suggest alternative classical music?

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I shall raid my classical c.d.s and see what I can find.

DG x

Funny you should mention this. Myself and a friend were joking about someone making a parody Immodesty's act and The Apprentice by dressing as Alan Sugar and riding on a hobby/child's rocking horse to that piece Needless to say, it's quite a ridiculous idea and I'm sure the light-hearted joke would be lost on many audiences.

For me personally, that track connotes Alan Sugar moreso than Immodesty Blaize... but should I se her rocking horse act live, my opinion may change.

It's a wonderful piece but unfortunately is cliched and, the average member of the public now associates it with the aforesaid show.

Unless you are aiming to parody or send up the music or it's connotations I'd steer well clear of it.

Even to a classical music crowd, it has a strong identity as its conjures up ideas of waring families (of Romeo and Juliet) - not strong women, per se.

I use this piece as the entrance to my Red Angel fan dance. I think if you are confident and clever in your use of the music then you make it your own. Additionally, only people who watch apprentice will think of it! Don't assume that will be the same viewing public that will be seeing your act.

I would agree however that it doesn't necessarily denote a strong woman but something dark and intimidating as it does conjure a warlike image (just listen to the drums).

If you're uncomfortable with using this particular piece take a look at some more of Prokofiev's stuff, I use another of his pieces Prelude Op 12 No 7 which is beautiful.

Good luck!

A lot of classical pieces are given popularity by use as tv themes or in ads – they can still be used elsewhere though, - A few examples -
Kakachurian’s Spartacus – Theme To The Onedin Line
Dvorjak – New World Symphony – Hovis ads
William Tell Overture – The Lone Ranger
Orff – Karmina Burana – Old Spice aftershave
Bach’s Air On A G-String – Hamlet cigars
Wagner’s Ride Of The Valkerie’s – Helicopter assault in Apocolypse Now
Ravel’s Bolero – Torville & Dean and Bo Derek in 10
Make good enough use of the music and people will think of it when they hear your name too

I have to say unfortunately I think the majority of the audience would expect a parody of The Apprentice on hearing that.

I think Scarlet Fever actually uses it in her Apprentice-based routine too. I'll check...

What about the No. 10 [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlFnahc_OVs"]YouTube - Mussorgsky - The Great Gate of Kyiv[/ame] from Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition? Or No. 9 The Hut of Hen's Legs (Baba Yaga)from the same? (this one starts with Baba Yaga and goes into the Great Gate of Kiev: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-JjNJAkBZc"]YouTube - Pictures at an Exhibition: Esa-Pekka Salonen (4 of 4)[/ame]

Or what about a bit from Liszt's Totentanz? [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqCEhmqsSnY"]YouTube - Enrico Pace plays Liszt - Totentanz (part 1 of 2)[/ame]

I'm still waiting on that Optic Nerve balloon dance...

For a strong woman piece, how about Holst: Mars

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0bcRCCg01I"]YouTube - Gustav Holst - The Planets - Mars, the Bringer of War[/ame]

If you could somehow make your shadow really long and tall and have it enter before you, that'd be awesome

Prokofiev??? What happened to that nice Leonard Nimoy CD I burned for you?!?!

Hmph.

Thank you for your responses everyone!

I think I though the music would be good for a 'stong woman' because of it's drama and sence of forboding, and that the aspect of 'conflicting famalies' would be internalised as 'conflict within the character' and demonstrated in the subtext as the act unfolded.

It seems my gut instinct was right and the audience would expect a parody if they hear this music, it is burlesque after all!

xxxVxxx