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II. Variazioni
mm. 3-21 |
Skills & Techniques: Phrasing, Section Playing, Soft Playing
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Horn 1 (F)
Horn 2 (F)
Horn 3 (F)
Horn 4 (F)
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Berliner Philharmoniker (1988)
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New York Philharmonic Orchestra (1998)
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II. Variazioni
5 mm. after reh. E - 28 mm. after reh. E |
Skills & Techniques: Accuracy, Stopped Horn, Rhythms, Tonguing Flexibility
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Horn 1 (F)
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St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra (1994)
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Utah Symphony Orchestra (2018)
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Composer & Composition Information
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
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Prolific Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) is perhaps best known for his orchestral compositions, especially the symphonic suite Scheherazade (1888), based on the story of the sultan’s wife who tells him a series of stories for 1,001 nights (the Tales of the Arabian Nights).
Rimsky-Korsakov also wrote 15 operas, including The Tsar’s Bride (1898), as well as symphonies, choral music, and songs. One of his operas contains his famous short work, “The Flight of the Bumblebee.” Rimsky-Korsakov was born into an aristocratic family who, despite realizing their son had musical ability, did not take it seriously because being a composer was not considered suitable for someone of their social standing. Based on his parents’ wishes, he studied for a career in the Imperial Russian Navy. While at school, he took piano lessons. Rimsky-Korsakov became convinced as his studies progressed that he could make a career in music, even though he lacked the formal music training of a conservatory. He began composing his first symphony while at sea in the Russian navy. The text & image are reprinted from The Kennedy Center where more information about the composer can be found. |
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Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34
Considering the great interest in Spanish music demonstrated by the father of Russian art music, Michael Glinka (Glinka traveled extensively in Spain, collected folk materials, and composed pieces based on them), it is not surprising that such a Glinka disciple as Rimsky-Korsakov would look for similar geographic sources of inspiration. So it is that the very Russian Rimsky-Korsakov conceived a fantasy on Spanish themes; he originally intended it to be for violin and orchestra. As it developed, however, the Capriccio espagnol came to be a virtuoso work not only for violin, but a work that could rightly be subtitled “Fantasy for violin, clarinet, oboe, flute, horn, trumpet (etc., etc.).” Which is to say that while the composition’s accent is Spanish, its emphasis is on solo instrumental virtuosity as well as on the brilliant orchestral effulgence that is so typical of Rimsky.
The composer himself was not loath to comment on the dazzling merits of the piece, saying, “It is intended as a brilliant composition for the orchestra. The change of timbres, the felicitous choice of melodic designs and figuration patterns, exactly suiting each kind of instrument, brief virtuoso cadenzas for solo instruments, etc., constitute here the very essence of the composition and not its garb or orchestration. The Spanish themes of dance character furnished me with rich material for putting in use multiform orchestral effects. All in all, the Capriccio is undoubtedly a purely external piece, but vividly brilliant for all that.”
The text is written by & reprinted from Orrin Howard (Los Angeles Philharmonic) where more information about the composition can be found.
The composer himself was not loath to comment on the dazzling merits of the piece, saying, “It is intended as a brilliant composition for the orchestra. The change of timbres, the felicitous choice of melodic designs and figuration patterns, exactly suiting each kind of instrument, brief virtuoso cadenzas for solo instruments, etc., constitute here the very essence of the composition and not its garb or orchestration. The Spanish themes of dance character furnished me with rich material for putting in use multiform orchestral effects. All in all, the Capriccio is undoubtedly a purely external piece, but vividly brilliant for all that.”
The text is written by & reprinted from Orrin Howard (Los Angeles Philharmonic) where more information about the composition can be found.
Notable Performances/Recordings:
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (2022)
Prague Symphony Orchestra (2015)
BBC Philharmonic (2007)
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (2006)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (2002)
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (2022)
Prague Symphony Orchestra (2015)
BBC Philharmonic (2007)
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (2006)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (2002)