One of Rimsky-Korsakov’s most popular works, Scheherazade, is a symphonic poem composed in 1888, based on the story of the Arabian Nights. It features amazing, dazzling, and colorful orchestration as well as melodies that are famous, fresh, and beautiful. It has a mild oriental flavor and an incredible rhythmic vitality.
The composer used thematic headings for each of the four movements based on the tales of the story “One Thousand and One Nights.” The titles are pretty vague and do not relate specifically to any particular story, thus giving freedom to the listener to become the ‘creator’ and ‘storyteller’ with the music and their imagination leading the way.
The movement titles are:
- The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship
- The Kalandar Prince
- The Young Prince and The Young Princess
- Festival at Baghdad. The Sea. The Ship Breaks against a Cliff Surmounted by a Bronze Horseman.
Rimsky-Korsakov beautifully connects the movements by using the same thematic material throughout each of them. He also uses particular motifs and themes to depict some of the characters of the story. As an example, the initial strong and furious sounding opening is connected to the Sultan while the theme of Scheherazade is a tender and very sensuous melody for violin solo, accompanied by a harp, depicting her sweet response to his anger. Beautiful melodies, passionate sections, wonderful explorations in this deeply sensual work which finishes in a peaceful ending representing Scheherazade finally winning over the heart of the Sultan, saving her life and their love.
This masterpiece really captures the essence of one of the most intricate and deep storytelling sagas of all times!
By Zoe Zeniodi