Belgian National Orchestra, Schønwandt & Beilman

About the Event

In this eagerly awaited performance, experience the harmonious melodies of classical compositions by Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky, Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky‐Korsakov, and Cecile Chaminade in the iconic and globally celebrated Palais des Beaux‐Arts in Brussels. Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D stands unique, drawing none of its inspiration from famous repertoire pieces like the violin concertos by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. Instead, its four movement titles nod to Bach, with music that mirrors this influence as well.

Nikolai Rimsky‐Korsakov’s Scheherazade is, arguably, his most acclaimed composition. Drawing inspiration from One Thousand and One Nights, he composed this four‐movement symphonic suite during the summer of 1888. Within it, the solo violin personifies Scheherazade herself, the clever Persian woman who eludes execution by weaving captivating tales daily. While Rimsky‐Korsakov’s suite doesn’t narrate precise stories, it beautifully conjures a vivid, oriental fantasy realm.