II. The Tsarina in a Barrel at Sea

Rimsky-Korsakov called the suite of excerpts from his opera 'The Tale of Tsar Saltan' musical pictures. The first movement consists of delightful march-like tunes in absolutely typical Korsakovian glittering colours. In contrast the second movement grandiosely and graphically depicts the ominous swelling of waves. Next comes by far the most famoous excerpt from this opera, 'The Flight of the Bumble Bee', one of the most effective instances of desciptive music in the entire repertoire. Finally, 'The Three Wonders' is a magical and majestic evocation of a squirrel with golden nuts, the flooding of Prince Guidon's island and, finally, the Swan Princess.
Music Web: outstanding; Classics Today 10/10, highest rating: 'I will enjoy this often, and, belive me, you will too!'