For Beethoven, 1802, the year of the Second Symphony, was the beginning of a period of unparalleled fertility.Rimsky-Korsakov's program opens with Antar wandering the ruins of the ancient desert city of Palmyra. For a while now I have been gaining more than ever in. He was aware of its being a special time. For Beethoven, 1802, the year of the Second Symphony, was the beginning of a period of unparalleled fertility. However, the earlier version may best preserve the freshness of Rimsky-Korsakov's response to the myth of Antar, a great warrior from Arabian literature.INSTRUMENTATION: 2 each of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, and trumpets with timpani and strings.

A huge black bird swoops down on the gazelle, but Antar repels it with his lance. Suddenly, a beautiful gazelle appears, which Antar chases. Antar's theme enters on the strings, in a lush, resigned harmonization, as he has come to the desert to renounce humanity.

So ends the first movement. Gul Nazar promises Antar the three joys of life in exchange for his good deed as Antar contemplates his newfound good fortune, he wakes up to the strains of the harp and the Gul Nazar theme, amid the ruins of Palmyra. The Queen is represented by a lovely, winding wind theme.

Symphony No 2