Shéhérezade

Shéhérazade, the character and narrator of One thousand and one nights has been a source of inspiration for many composers and the origin of many musical adaptations, including the three pieces in this programme. Masques for piano (1915-1916) is one in a series of three compositions by Karol Szymaovsky which are based on literary works; the others are Mythes (1915) and Métopes (1915). Its three movements refer to three myths: Shéhérezade, which opens the work, Tristan and Isolde, and Don Juan. Shéhérazade is also the title of two works by Maurice Ravel: an overture which is considered to be his first orchestral composition and a series of songs -also included in this concert- which have become a much-loved piece in the French repertoire, both in its orchestral and chamber versions. This piece by Ravel is strongly influenced by Russian composers, mainly by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, whose symphonic poem is particularly relevant. This is no surprise since the Shéhérezade of the Russian composer is probably the most well-known musical response to this emblematic literary character. Quantum Ensemble once again includes a music arrangement -made by Pablo Díaz this time- to offer this great piece by Rimsky- Korsakov in a chamber version. This arrangement closes a concert made up of highly stimulating, contrasting compositions which at the same time are linked together by one of the most fascinating stories in universal literature.