Rimsky-Korsakov - Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra - Jerzy Semkow – Scheherazade Opus 35

Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade Opus 35

“Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov” – Scheherazade, Op. 35 is one of the most celebrated orchestral works of the late Romantic period, performed here by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra under Jerzy Semkow. Inspired by tales from One Thousand and One Nights, the four-movement symphonic suite is renowned for its vivid orchestration, exotic colours, sweeping melodies and brilliant instrumental writing.

Composed in 1888 and premiered in St Petersburg on 9 December 1888, Scheherazade was originally presented by Rimsky-Korsakov as a four-movement orchestral suite. The composer drew inspiration from the collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories, including the adventures of Sinbad and the tales of the Kalender Prince, while deliberately leaving the precise narrative open to the listener's imagination.

The opening movement, “The Sea And Sindbad's Ship”, immediately establishes the work's dramatic world with its powerful orchestral introduction before Scheherazade's famous solo violin theme appears. “The Story Of The Kalender Prince” follows with constantly shifting rhythms and colours, while “The Young Prince And The Young Princess” provides one of the work's most lyrical and romantic passages. The spectacular finale, “The Festival At Baghdad – The Sea – Shipwreck On The Magnetic Rock”, brings the various musical ideas together in a thrilling orchestral climax.

Rimsky-Korsakov was a master of orchestration, and Scheherazade remains one of the finest showcases for his extraordinary ability to create atmosphere and character through the orchestra. This recording is an excellent choice for listeners and collectors interested in Rimsky-Korsakov, Russian Romantic music, symphonic poems, orchestral classics and 19th-century classical music.

Tracklist

1. The Sea And Sindbad's Ship: Largo E Maestoso - Lento - Allegro Non Troppo – 10:12
2. The Story Of The Kalender Prince: Lento - Andantino - Allegro Molto - Vivace Scherzando - Moderato Assai - Allegro Molto Ed Animato – 12:02
3. The Young Prince And The Young Princess: Andantino Quasi Allegretto – 9:54
4. The Festival At Baghdad - The Sea - Shipwreck On The Magnetic Rock: Allegro Molto - Lento - Vivo - Allegro Non Troppo E Maestoso - Lento - Tempo I – 12:15