Rimsky-Korsakov - Christmas Eve: Orchestral Suite (1895)

Christmas Eve (Suite) I. Christmas Night II. Ballet of the Stars III. Witches’ Sabbath and Ride on the Devil’s Back IV. Polonaise V. Vakula and the Slippers A thrilling orchestral suite by Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908), based on music from the 1895 opera of the same name. The plot of the opera follows the short story “Christmas Eve“ from Nikolai Gogol’s “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka“. The same story also formed the basis of Tchaikovsky’s operas “Vakula the Smith“ and “Cherevichki“. A synopsis of Gogol’s short story is available on Wikipedia: (Gogol) Conductor: Neeme Järvi Scottish National Orchestra