Scheherazade, 2nd movement

Conducting Scheherazade, 2nd movement By Gianmaria Griglio

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince In the original tale there are 3 characters who began life as princes and through a series of misfortunes, became begging Kalandar. One of them becomes part of this movement which opens with Scheherazade’s theme in a fantastic solo violin

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince The prince comes in with a Russian folk song, played by the bassoon

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince The same theme is repeated with different orchestration: the oboe, then the violins and cellos. The rhythmic element of the theme takes over in the next variation, played by the woodwinds while the strings strum away in pizzicato chords.

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince Suddenly, Sharyar - the Sultan - enters the scene.

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince Scheherazade interrupts him seductively singing through a solo clarinet but the impatience of the Sultan grows

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince Scheherazade weaves her magic in the chromatic passages underlining the Russian song

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince After a final repeat of this theme in full orchestra, the atmosphere is toned down, with Scheherazade charming us with the wavy glissando of the harp. With the solos of the flute, horn, violin, and cello we’re yearning for a conclusion to this story.

The Tale of the Kalandar Prince The Sultan is pushing for it in the low brass of the animation but Scheherazade keeps her secret, closes the story on a final chord deprived of its third, and leaves us hanging in open fifths.