Rimsky-Korsakov Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Symphonic Suite “Scheherazade”Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov1rank/position

Rimsky-Korsakov – Symphonic Suite “Scheherazade,” Op. 35 — Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic, 1967

Rimsky-Korsakov was a central figure of the group of composers known as the Russian Five and is called the “father of modern orchestration.” The title of this work, Scheherazade, is the name of the heroine who appears in The Arabian Nights, a representative work of Arabic narrative literature.

Although the piece does not faithfully follow the storyline, it develops the theme of the fierce King Shahryar and the theme of the gentle Scheherazade throughout, vividly evoking the image of “a tale of wondrous mysteries.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem

The Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov2rank/position

Yuja Wang plays the Flight of the Bumble-Bee (Vol du Bourdon)

A colorful orchestral piece by the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Depicting a scene from the opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, this work is a short interlude that portrays the flight of a bumblebee.

It is characterized by rapid, continuous sixteenth notes and is known as a piece that tests performers’ skills due to its technical difficulty.

Composed between 1899 and 1900, it enjoys popularity as a standalone work despite being part of an opera and has been arranged for various instruments.

With its brilliant melody and dynamic rhythm, it is an appealing piece recommended for advanced players seeking to hone their technique.

ScheherazadeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov3rank/position

Rimskij-Korsakow: Scheherazade ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Alain Altinoglu

Rimsky-Korsakov is famous as a composer who masterfully employs orchestration—one of the renowned “Mighty Five” of Russia.

His Scheherazade is a masterpiece that features Scheherazade, a character from the collection of Islamic tales, as the narrator.

The story follows Scheherazade telling stories to King Shahryar night after night, and the two eventually fall in love.

The music reflects this theme, crafted into a highly dramatic work with striking contrasts.

With its many developments and broad expressive range, it offers a wide musical experience and can even be recommended for prenatal listening.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Flight of the Bumblebee from The Tale of Tsar SaltanNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov4rank/position

Flight of the bumblebee by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

This piece is known for its friendly, buzzing-bee character.

Marked by rapid, intricate passages, it deftly depicts a bumblebee’s swift flight.

In the opera, it accompanies the scene where the protagonist prince transforms into a bee and flies to the capital; the highly demanding performance truly evokes the sensation of a bee in flight.

It has been arranged for a variety of instruments, with solo piano versions being particularly famous.

Arrangements by Rachmaninoff and Cziffra are renowned as formidable piano showpieces.

It’s a recommended track not only for classical music fans but also for anyone who enjoys virtuosic performance.

Be sure to explore the many different arrangements.

Scheherazade, Op. 35Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov5rank/position

Rimsky-Korsakov / F. Noack : Scheherazade (1/3) | Florian Noack

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, known as a member of the Mighty Handful, left numerous operas rich in folk color and brilliantly orchestrated orchestral works.

His masterpiece Scheherazade, Op.

35, is a symphonic suite completed in 1888, themed on the tales of The Arabian Nights.

Using vivid orchestration and solo violin, the work skillfully depicts the world of the stories.

Its four movements each portray a different tale, stimulating the listener’s imagination.

This piece continues to captivate audiences with its musical beauty and narrative quality, and it can be regarded as a masterpiece that showcases Rimsky-Korsakov’s creativity and craftsmanship.

Symphonic Suite ScheherazadeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov6rank/position

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Rimsky-Korsakov Symphonic Suite “Scheherazade”

The symphonic suite Scheherazade was composed in 1888.

This piece is based on the famous One Thousand and One Nights.

The dignified melody that opens the work is the theme of King Shahryar, and the violin that enters to gently soften it is the theme of Scheherazade, which also gives the piece its title.

The work consists of four movements, each with a programmatic title.

Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov7rank/position

Rimsky Korsakov – Flight of the Bumblebee

As the Japanese title “Flight of the Bumblebee” suggests, this piece is memorable for its gently buzzing, gliding rhythm.

It was composed around 1890 by the Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov and is used in Act III of the opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, based on Pushkin’s original work.

With its unique design modeled on the hum of a bumblebee’s wings, the piece—contrary to what the title might imply—feels cute and approachable, with a pleasant melody.

It fits scenes where children at a kindergarten or nursery are freely romping about, so it’s a great recommendation for those moments at a school sports day.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

KEI

Report a problem