In 1869, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was just 28 years old, had already produced numerous piano works and was a respected professor of Music at the Moscow Conservatory. However, his composition skills were not truly recognized until he was commissioned to write this captivating piece for Shakespeare’s classic love story.

Originally written for orchestra, it premiered on March 16, 1870 by Tchaikovsky's friend and promoter, Nicolay Rubenstein. Not long after the “Romeo & Juliet” debut, this enchanting melody became a theme heard at all wedding ceremonies.

Adapted for intermediate piano by Craig Stevens and published by Santorella Publications, this edition of Tchaikovsky’s theme is simply beautiful. Santorella’s Romeo & Juliet theme is printed on heavy manila cream stock and the clean crisp engraving jumps off the page. This brilliant masterpiece is a certain “must” for any serious study of piano classics.