Symphony No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 9 'Antar' (1897 version) Cover Image

Symphony No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 9 'Antar' (1897 version): Full Orchestra Conductor Score

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Symphony No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 9 'Antar' (1897 version) Cover Image
Symphony No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 9 'Antar' (1897 version): Full Orchestra Conductor Score

Symphony No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 9 'Antar' (1897 version): Full Orchestra Conductor Score

By Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Item: 36-A817901
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Symphony No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 9 'Antar' (1897 version): Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

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Description
First written in 1868 by a young Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908), this orchestral suite was originally titled his SYMPHONY No. 2 by the composer, though it was always a programmatic telling of the 'Antar' story. After numerous revisions, Rimsky-Korsakov determined to no longer refer to the work as a symphony at all, but rather as a suite, saying, "The term 'suite' was then unfamiliar [when he initially wrote the work] to our circle in general, nor was it in vogue in the musical literature of western Europe. Still, I was wrong in calling 'Antar' a symphony. My 'Antar' was a poem, suite, fairy-tale, story, or anything you like, but not a symphony. Its structure in four separate movements was all that made it approach a symphony." This confusion and arguments with the publisher about revisions to the plates resulted in four different versions. This version from 1897 is the third, though it remained unpublished until 1913. It is thought to be the version most reflective of the composer's final thoughts on the work, referring to it as a "symphonic suite" rather than a symphony for the first time. (The version from 1903 is not considered final as the publisher refused to make significant alterations to the 2nd or 1875 plates with the 1897 revisions, resulting in a compromise between the publisher and composer for the final iteration.)  Instrumentation: 3(3dPicc).2(2dEH).2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(3-4): Hp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63887-568-5
ISBN13: 978-1-63887-568-0
UPC: 735816260286
SKU: 36-A817901
Instrumentation: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works

More about this title

About the Composer: Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) was a Russian composer and orchestrator whose influence on instrumental color and harmonic innovation shaped orchestral writing for generations. A member of The Five and later a professor of composition at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he brought nationalist themes and Eastern European folklore into concert music while mastering the technical demands of the orchestra with exceptional sophistication.

Rimsky-Korsakov's catalog reveals a composer equally at home with opera, ballet, and purely instrumental forms. His willingness to revise and reimagine his own works (as evidenced by the multiple versions of Antar) demonstrates both artistic integrity and responsiveness to evolving artistic vision. His orchestration treatise remains a standard reference for musicians and composers.

Why we love this

Rimsky-Korsakov's own doubts about whether this work was a symphony at all make it a fascinating study in form and intent. Directors encounter a richly scored programmatic work that showcases advanced orchestration techniques without requiring the structural severity of a true symphony, allowing ensembles to focus on color, balance, and the vivid storytelling woven throughout its four movements. The 1897 version represents the composer's refined thinking about the work, making it an authentic choice for conductors seeking depth beyond the more commonly performed alternatives.

What to expect

A shimmering journey through an Arabian tale, rich with modal color and exotic instrumentation that seems to shimmer and shift with each revision. The work combines lyrical beauty with moments of dramatic intensity, painting scenes of adventure and enchantment through orchestral texture rather than symphonic argument.

Who it's for

Conductors leading advanced orchestras or concert bands seeking a programmatic work that bridges Romantic structure and orchestral sophistication. This score serves professional orchestras, university ensembles at the advanced level, and conductors interested in Rimsky-Korsakov's evolving compositional thought across multiple versions.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the elaborate percussion and harp writing against the strings; these coloristic elements should enhance rather than overshadow the primary melodic voices.
  • Pay close attention to the programmatic narrative across all four movements. Understanding the Antar legend helps conductors shape phrasing and dynamic arcs with dramatic intention.
  • The large string complement (9-8-7-6-5) requires careful sectional work on both vertical alignment and independent voice leading, especially in passages where divisi creates internal harmonic movement.
  • Approach the three or four players required for percussion as an ensemble; coordinate mallets, beaters, and entrances to ensure precision in the exotic timbral effects Rimsky-Korsakov specifies.

How to use it

Position Antar as the centerpiece of a concert exploring Russian orchestral innovation or Eastern-influenced Western concert music. Its four-movement structure and moderate length (roughly 35-40 minutes) allow it to anchor a program without requiring the full evening commitment of a traditional symphony, making it ideal for thematic programming or as the major work in a conductor-focused recital.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing multiple orchestral colors within a single texture
  • Conducting across non-traditional formal structures (programmatic suite rather than sonata form)
  • Coordinating large string sections with divisi and independent voice leading
  • Interpreting modal and exotic harmonic language
  • Ensemble balance between harp, extensive percussion, and traditional orchestral voices

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