Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was born in Tikhvin, Russia, on March 18, 1844, and died in Lyubensk, Russia, on June 21, 1908. The first performance of the Capriccio espagnol took place at the Small Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, on October 31, 1887, with the composer conducting the Orchestra of the Imperial Russian Opera House. 

The Capriccio espagnol is scored for piccolo, two flutes, two oboes (1st doubling English horn), two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, snare drum, triangle, tambourine, castanets, harp, and strings. Approximate performance time is fifteen minutes.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov composed his Capriccio espagnol in the summer of 1887. For some time, the Russian composer had been occupied with the orchestration of his opera Prince Igor. According to Rimsky-Korsakov: “In the middle of the summer this work was interrupted: I composed the Spanish Capriccio from the sketches of my projected virtuoso violin fantasy on Spanish themes. According to my plans the Capriccio was to glitter with dazzling color, and manifestly, I had not been wrong.”

Rimsky-Korsakov led the October 31, 1887 premiere of Capriccio espagnol. The concert took place at the Small Theater in St. Petersburg, as part of the Russian Musical Society’s concert series. Rimsky-Korsakov conducted the Orchestra of the Imperial Russian Opera House. The concert, according to Rimsky-Korsakov, “was played with a perfection and enthusiasm the like of which it never possessed subsequently... Despite its length, the composition called forth an insistent encore.”

Rimsky-Korsakov has long been hailed as one of the masters of orchestration. The composer himself acknowledged that the piece, along with Scheherazade (1888) and the Russian Easter Overture (1888), marked the culmination of a period in “which my orchestration had reached a considerable degree of virtuosity and bright sonority…”

The five movements are played without pause.

I. Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso: The Capriccio espagnol opens with a scintillating Alborado (an aubade, or morning serenade).

II. Variations. Andante con moto: The horns introduce a languid, dolce theme that serves as the basis for a series of variations, showcasing the orchestra’s range of colors.

III. Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso: A reprise of the opening Alborada, now transposed from A to B-flat Major.

IV. Scene and Gypsy Song. Allegretto: A roll of the snare drum introduces a series of cadenzas for the horns and trumpets, violin, flute, clarinet, and harp. A vibrant Gypsy song dominates the latter part of the movement, gathering impressive momentum as it proceeds directly to the finale.

V. Fandango of the Asturias: The final movement opens with a Fandango, a lively dance in triple meter. The Gypsy song briefly returns, as does the opening Alborada, bringing the Capriccio espagnol to a dazzling Presto conclusion.