Nikolaj Rimski-Korsakow
Hummelflug
Duration: 2'
Bearbeitet von: Rahbari/Gisler
Instrumentation details:
1st flute
2nd flute
3rd flute
4th flute
5th alto flute
6th alto flute
7th bass flute
8th bass flute
Hummelflug
Translation, reprints and more
Nikolaj Rimski-Korsakow
5. Altflöte in G (Hummelflug)
Available digitally
Type: Stimme
Nikolaj Rimski-Korsakow
6. Altflöte in G (Hummelflug)
Available digitally
Type: Stimme
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
The Flight of the Bumblebee is a musical interlude from the third act of the opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov from 1899/1900. The piece is often played as an encore by virtuoso musicians.
Two leitmotifs accompany Prince Gwidon, who has been transformed into a bumblebee, on his flight. The first, chromatic, appears immediately at the beginning, the second first appears in bar 45.
The fairy Swanbird fulfills Prince Gwidon's wish to invisibly follow a departing ship by allowing him to descend into the sea, where he is transformed into a bumblebee. She then invites him to take the famous bumblebee flight with the following song: ”
Now, bumblebee, hurry up and catch the ship from the sea!
Lower yourself to the deck, look for a safe hiding place.
Farewell, Gwidon, make haste, but do not tarry too long!”
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)