
The Fantastic World of Nikolai Andreyevich
Donald Macleod explores Rimsky Korsakov’s use of fairy-tales and folklore, the idea of ‘otherness’ 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 – Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov’s music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of “The Mighty Handful” 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’s episode, Donald explores Rimsky Korsakov’s use of fairy-tales and folklore, the idea of ‘otherness’ and the excitement of the exotic in his music – 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
BBC Philharmonic
Vassily Sinaisky, conductor
Capricco Espagnol, Op 34
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Jesús 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 BBC Wales
Last on
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: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vassily Sinaisky.- CHANDOS : CHAN-10424.
- CHANDOS.
- 2.
![]()
Nicolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Capriccio Espagnol, Op 34
Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic. Conductor: Jesús López 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 201812:00BBC Radio 3







