Composer

:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1879 - 1880

Publication Date

:

1886

Average_duration

:

16:52

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Fairy Tale, Op. 29' is a symphonic suite composed in 1880. It premiered on December 6, 1880, in St. Petersburg, Russia, conducted by the composer himself. The suite consists of four movements, each depicting a different fairy tale. The first movement, 'The Sea and Sinbad's Ship,' is based on the story of Sinbad the Sailor from 'One Thousand and One Nights.' It begins with a slow, mysterious introduction that sets the scene for the tale. The main theme is introduced by the strings, representing the ship's journey on the sea. The music builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion adding to the drama. The movement ends with a triumphant climax, as the ship reaches its destination. The second movement, 'The Story of the Kalandar Prince,' is also based on a tale from 'One Thousand and One Nights.' It begins with a haunting melody played by the clarinet, representing the prince's sadness. The music becomes more lively as the prince tells his story, with the strings and woodwinds taking turns to play the main theme. The movement ends with a return to the melancholic clarinet melody. The third movement, 'The Young Prince and the Young Princess,' is based on a story from 'The Arabian Nights.' It begins with a delicate, romantic melody played by the solo violin, representing the prince and princess. The music becomes more passionate as the two fall in love, with the full orchestra joining in. The movement ends with a return to the gentle violin melody. The final movement, 'Festival at Baghdad - The Sea - The Shipwreck,' is based on the story of 'The Fisherman and the Jinni' from 'One Thousand and One Nights.' It begins with a lively, celebratory theme played by the brass and percussion, representing the festival. The music becomes more turbulent as the sea and shipwreck are depicted, with the strings and woodwinds playing fast, swirling melodies. The movement ends with a triumphant return to the festival theme. Overall, 'Fairy Tale, Op. 29' is a colorful and imaginative work that showcases Rimsky-Korsakov's skill as an orchestrator. The use of exotic melodies and rhythms, as well as the incorporation of folk elements, adds to the suite's fairy tale-like quality. The suite has become a popular work in the orchestral repertoire and is often performed in concert halls around the world.

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