The Sultan's Lady Saved Her Life

Radio Record, 22 April 1938, Page 21

The Sultan's Lady Saved Her Life

COLOUR OF THE EAST IN RUSSIAN OFFICER'S BRILLIANT SUITE

JUNE more than one of his gifted compatriots, Rimsky-Korsakov began his career as a musician from the amateur’s point of view. Born in that class of Russian society whose sons had a choice of but few ‘"ureers, he was n sailor until his thirtieth year. Even after hig fine musicianship had eurned him the appointment of Profes sor of Composition in the St. Petersburg Conservatoire, he carried on its duties for some time without relinguishing his rank on the active list of the nuyy. That there was nothing amateurish in his musical equipment is by now fully recognised. He was one of the most brilliant members of the moder Russian school, whose work combines something ef Kastern gorgeousness with the sombre traits of the Slay character. Oviental subjects always had a strong fascination for him, and in the "Scheherezade" Suite, the East, with its blazing sunshine and its brilliance of colour, is vividly presented in the music. The subject is, of course. from fhe

"Arabian Nights," and the composer prefaced his score with the following note :- "The Sultan Schahriar, convinced of the infidelity of the whole race of women, has sworn to send each of his Wives to death after only one bridal night. But Scheherezade saves her life by interesting him jn tales which she recounts one after another for one thousald and one nights, Impelled by euriosity, the Sultan puts off from day to day the fate of the lady,.and ends, as wl the world knows, by renouticing his bloodthirsty intention." The four stories which are used as subjects in the several movements in this Suite are: (1). The Sea and Sinhad’s Vessel; (2) the Story of the Prince Kalendar; (3) the Young Prince und the Young Princess; (4) Fete at Bagdad, The Sea. The Ship is wrecked against the rock surmounted by — the Warrior of Brass. Conclusion, All through we can trace the Sultan’s wrath and the seductive pleading of the music is brilliantly interpreted by Stokowski and the Philadelphia, Orchestra. The suite is featured at 2YA on Tuesday, April 29.