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Donald Macleod examines the acts of rebellion which pepper Rimsky-Korsakov鈥檚 life, exploring his dual roles as establishment stalwart and revolutionary hero

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 Wednesday鈥檚 programme, Donald examines the acts of rebellion which pepper Rimsky-Korsakov鈥檚 life, exploring the composer鈥檚 dual roles as establishment stalwart and revolutionary hero, a position which led, at one point, to the banning of his music in St. Petersburg.

Allegro in B flat major (Les Vendredis, Book II)
Vertavo Quartet

Overture on Russian Themes, Op 28
Seattle Symphony
Gerard Schwarz, conductor

Symphony No 3: II. Scherzo
London Symphony Orchestra
Yondani Butt, conductor

Kashchey the Immortal: Tableau 3
Konstantin Pluzhnikov, tenor (Kashchey)
Marina Shaguch, soprano (The Princess)
Larissa Diadkova, mezzo-soprano (Kastcheyevna)
Alexander Morozov, baritone (Prince Ivan Korolovitch)
Alexander Gergalov, bass (The Storm-Knight)
Chorus of the Kirov Opera, St. Petersburg
Orchestra of the Kirov Opera
Valery Gergiev, conductor

Suite from 鈥淭he Golden Cockerel鈥: IV. Wedding Feast 鈥 Death of King Dodon - Finale
Scottish National Opera
Neeme J盲rvi, conductor

Produced by Sam Phillips for 大象传媒 Wales

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Allegro in B flat for string quartet (Les Vendredis)

    Ensemble: Vertavo Quartet.
    • SIMAX PSC1178.
    • Simax.
    • 1.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Overture on Russian Themes, Op 28

    Performer: Seattle Symphony. Conductor: Gerard Schwarz.
    • NAXOS 8572788.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Symphony No 3 in C major, Op 32 (Scherzo)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Yondani Butt.
    • ASV CDDCA1025.
    • ASV.
    • 2.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    Kashchey the Immortal: Tableau 3

    Performer: Kirov Opera Chorus And Orchestra. Singer: Konstantin Pluzhnikov. Singer: Marina Shaguch. Singer: Larissa Diadkova. Singer: Alexander Morozov. Singer: Alexander Gergalov. Conductor: Valery Gergiev.
    • PHILIPS 4467042.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 9.
  • Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov

    The Golden Cockerel: Finale

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme J盲rvi.
    • CHANDOS CHAN103692X.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 12.

Broadcast

  • Wed 19 Dec 2018 12:00

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