The National Orchestra of Wales
Conducted by Warwick Braithwaite

Those who know the Ballet Scheherazade will note that its story is very different from that which Rimsky-Korsakov originally chose for illustration. He selected four of the Arabian Nigfrfs tales as the basis of his work, but did not sot out to illustrate their happenings closely. The Sultana, the bewitching teller of the tales to her lord the Sultan, is represented by a Violin theme of improvisatory stylo, that comes in many times in the course of the Suite.
There are four separate pieces, entitled as follows:-
The Sea and Sinbad's Ship.-Fine, strong music, with the power of the sea in it. The composer's first profession was the Navy, and he knew and could depict all the sea's moods.
The Story of the Kalendar Prince, who, pretending to be a wandering monk, turned out to bo a king's son in disguise. This begins with Bassoon and drone accompaniment. Then Oboe, Strings and Woodwind have this theme in turn. Later, the Clarinet plays cadenzas, with String chords breaking in.
The Young Prince and Princess.- A graceful love episode, with a First Tune of song-like nature and another in dance rhythm. (Clarinet and Side Drum, with, later, more Percussion.)
The Festival at Bagdad. The Sea. Shipwreck.
Conclusion.-There is a fine storm in this.