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Scheherazade, Op. 35

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description Scheherazade, Op. 35 Overview

Scheherazade, Op. 35, is a symphonic suite composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1888. Inspired by the Middle Eastern collection of tales One Thousand and One Nights, the work is structured in four movements that depict various stories of Scheherazade. The suite is distinguished by its colorful orchestration and a prominent, recurring solo violin theme that represents the storyteller Scheherazade herself.

help Scheherazade, Op. 35 FAQ

What stories are depicted in Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade?

This symphonic suite is inspired by the Middle Eastern collection of tales One Thousand and One Nights. The four movements specifically depict narratives of the sea and Sinbad's ship, the story of the Kalendar Prince, the romance of the Prince and Princess, and a bustling festival in Baghdad.

What instrument plays the role of Scheherazade in the suite?

The character of Scheherazade is famously represented by a solo violin, which plays a cadenza-like motif throughout the piece. This lyrical, winding melody introduces and concludes the suite, symbolizing her storytelling to the Sultan.

When did Rimsky-Korsakov compose Scheherazade?

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov composed Scheherazade, Op. 35, in the summer of 1888. He completed the orchestration incredibly quickly, basing the work on his deep study of Russian orchestral coloring and orientalist musical trends of the era.

Did Rimsky-Korsakov give specific titles to the movements of Scheherazade?

Although he originally gave the four movements descriptive titles like "The Sea and Sinbad's Ship," Rimsky-Korsakov later removed them for the published score. He stated that he wanted the audience to experience the music more as an overarching kaleidoscope of fairy-tale images rather than strictly literal storytelling.

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