Research of Bassoon Solos in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade Symphonic Suite

Abstract

Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908), one of the leading composers of Russian national music, is one of the most famous composers with his identity as a teacher, editor, and theorist. Known as one of the most productive and sophisticated members of the Russian five, Korsakov came to the fore with his devotion to Russian folk music, the use of Eastern melodies in his works and his orchestration technique. The symphonic suite, Scheherazade (Op.35), which he composed in 1888, is based on “One Thousand and One Nights’’. The work is presented in the form of stories within the story which is known as a frame story. Scheherazade’s strategic plans against Sultan Shahriar and her story that lasted for a thousand nights are narrated. The bassoon solos in the second movement of the work are one of the most important works encountered in national and international orchestral exams. A correct interpretation of solos requires knowledge, musicality and technical skills. This study aims to give general information about Scheherazade, to study the bassoon solos and to offer solutions for the technical and musical difficulties encountered in interpreting these solos. This research is a qualitative research doing a literature review about Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade Symphonic Suite.