Scheherazade: A Symphonic and Magic Journey

Rimski-Korsakov’s Sheherazade, inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, comes alive with the Strasbourg Philharmonic led by Aziz Shokhakimov.

Few works capture the imagination quite like Sheherazade, Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic masterpiece composed in 1888. Inspired by the timeless tales of One Thousand and One Nights, it remains one of the most beloved pieces in the Russian repertoire, a dazzling blend of storytelling and orchestral brilliance.

Under the baton of Aziz Shokhakimov, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg brings this masterpiece to life, revealing all its colors, rhythms, and emotions. Expect soaring strings, glittering woodwinds, and thunderous brass in a performance that invites listeners on an enchanting voyage to the East, where fantasy and reality meet in one of the great monuments of symphonic music.

At the heart of the music lies the legendary tale of Sultan Schahriar, betrayed by his wife and determined to marry and execute a new bride each dawn. Sheherazade, the vizier’s daughter, escapes this cruel fate through the power of her storytelling, weaving captivating tales night after night until the Sultan abandons his plan. Rimsky-Korsakov translates this drama into sound: the solo violin, adorned with harp arabesques, embodies the beguiling voice of Sheherazade herself, while the orchestra paints sweeping scenes of love, danger, and adventure.

From stormy seas to enchanted gardens, the suite’s movements unfold like cinematic chapters, each more vivid and intoxicating than the last. The result is a journey that is at once exotic, dramatic, and irresistibly beautiful.

Genre Live Show
Recording date 2024
TV Director Colin Laurent
Recording location Palais de la Musique et des Congrès, Strasbourg (France)