FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE
from 'The Tale of the Tsar Saltan'
FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE is mostly known as a piano piece, but it was originally written as an orchestral interlude from Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera The Tale of the Tsar Saltan, during a scene where Prince Gvidon is turned into a bumblebee by a magical swan.
It was famously transcribed for piano the fellow Sergei Rachmaninov, and has since been performed on every instrument imaginable, from trombone to accordion!
OTHER PIECES COMPOSED BY RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
- Scheherazade
- Russian Easter Festival Overture
- Capriccio Espagnol
FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE performed by the US Army Band (CC BY-SA)

(1844-1908)