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The Fantastic World of Nikolai Andreyevich

Donald Macleod explores Rimsky Korsakov鈥檚 use of fairy-tales and folklore, the idea of 鈥榦therness鈥 and the excitement of the exotic in his music

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of one of the most important Russian composers of his age 鈥 Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov鈥檚 music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of 鈥淭he Mighty Handful鈥 of composers who sought to forge a truly nationalistic music has led him to be regarded as the main architect of the Russian style of composition we know today. In Tuesday鈥檚 episode, Donald explores Rimsky Korsakov鈥檚 use of fairy-tales and folklore, the idea of 鈥榦therness鈥 and the excitement of the exotic in his music 鈥 elements which seem to contrast with reports of the man himself.

Captivated by the Rose, the Nightingale (4 Songs, Op 2 No 2)
Anna Netrebko, soprano
Daniel Barenboim, piano

Antar: IV. Allegretto - Adagio
The Philharmonia
Yevgeny Sveltlanov, conductor

Skazka, Op 29
大象传媒 Philharmonic
Vassily Sinaisky, conductor

Capricco Espagnol, Op 34
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Jes煤s Lopez-Cobos, conductor

Hymn to the Sun from The Golden Cockerel
Aida Garifullina, soprano
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
Cornelius Meister, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for 大象传媒 Wales

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Captivated by the Rose, Op 2 No 2

    Performer: Daniel Barenboim. Singer: Anna Netrebko.
    • DG 4778589.
    • DG.
    • 8.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Antar, Op 9 (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Evgeny Fyodorovich Svetlanov.
    • HELIOS CDH55137.
    • HELIOS.
    • 5.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Skazka (Legend), Op 29

    Orchestra: 大象传媒 Philharmonic. Conductor: Vassily Sinaisky.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-10424.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 2.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Capriccio Espagnol, Op 34

    Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic. Conductor: Jes煤s L贸pez Cobos.
    • DECCA 4119282.
    • DECCA.
    • 5.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    The Golden Cockerel: Hymn to the Sun

    Performer: Orf Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien. Singer: Aida Garifullina. Conductor: Cornelius Meister.
    • DECCA 4788305.
    • DECCA.
    • 9.

Broadcast

  • Tue 18 Dec 2018 12:00

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