Respighi, O.: Belkis, Queen of Sheba Suite / Rimsky-Korsakov, N.A.: Scheherazade

Featuring

Norichika Iimori
Frank Bossert
Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen
Ottorino Respighi
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

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Composer Biography

Ottorino Respighi, an Italian composer, received composition lessons from the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov while working as an orchestral musician in Russia.

Composition History

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Scheherazade' from 1888 is his second Oriental symphonic suite, following 'Antar', Op. 9.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The theme of Respighi's 'Belkis, Queen of Sheba' ballet suite reflects the 1920s and 30s fad of exoticism, which focused on indulging one's own fantasies about the foreign rather than engaging with the reality of distant lands.

Historical Context

Respighi's ballet 'Belkis, Queen of Sheba' premiered in 1932, a time when Italy, under fascist rule, had imperialistic interests in East Africa, particularly Ethiopia, which was considered the native country of the legendary Queen of Sheba.

Performer Biography

Norichika Iimori, the conductor, studied at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo and was an assistant to Wolfgang Sawallisch at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich for two years.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Rimsky-Korsakov initially planned neutral titles for the movements of 'Scheherazade' but later decided against programmatic headings to prevent listeners from seeking an overly specific program in his composition.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded at the Studio of the Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen from March 31st to April 2nd, 2004, with Alfredo Lasheras Hakobian as producer and Tonmeister.