Rimsky Korsakov (1844-1908) composed Scheherazade in 1888, depicting tales in The Arabian Nights, wherein the Sultana Scheherazade saves her own life by entertaining the Sultan for 1,001 nights with fascinating tales. The work combines the dazzling, colorful orchestration and interest in the East typical of Russian music and of Rimsky-Korsakov. It is replete with beguiling, piquant melodies, a mild oriental flavor and rhythmic vitality. The grim bass motif opening the 1st mvmt represents the Sultan, but soon the leitmotif of the Sultana appears, a tender, sensuously winding melody for violin solo. The 2nd and 4th mvmts and the 3rd mvmt intermezzo, for violin solo, depict Scheherazade telling her tales. The 4th mvmt ties aspects of the preceding mvmts to new ideas; its title conveys the actions: Festival at Baghdad; the Sea; The Ship Breaks Against a Cliff Surmounted by a Bronze Horseman. The peaceful coda represents Scheherazade finally winning the Sultan’s heart. Regarding the Capriccio espagnol Rimsky-Korsakov wrote: “The Spanish themes, of dance character, furnished me with rich material for putting in use multiform orchestral effects.” Alborada is festive and exciting. Various instruments and orchestral sections play with Variazioni’s melody. Then, Alborada varies the 1st mvmt’s key and instrumentation. Scena a canto gitano (Scene and gypsy song) imitates strumming guitars and contains a passionate dance. Fandango Asturiano is an energetic dance with a rousing end.