Greenville Symphony journeys from Arabian desert to snowy Russia

Why you should go: It’s a program of dazzling crowd-pleasers: the ever-popular orchestral showpiece “Scheherazade” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov followed by the First Symphony by Tchaikovsky.

“These are two jewels of the orchestral repertoire,” said Edvard Tchivzhel, the Greenville Symphony music director who’ll be on the podium.

“We like to warm our audiences with two great masterpieces in this chilly winter season,” he said.

What it’s all about: Rimsky-Korsakov drew inspiration for “Scheherazade” from “One Thousand and One Nights,” the magnificent collection of ancient Middle Eastern folk tales. The book has captivated readers for centuries with its fanciful stories of princes, princesses, Sinbad (or Sindbad) the Sailor and other heroes.

“Rimsky-Korsakov was fascinated by the culture and legends of the East,” Tchivzhel said. “Before he became a celebrated composer, Rimsky-Korsakov served in the Russian Imperial Navy and traveled the world. His love of eastern culture is beautifully reflected in “‘Scheherazade.’”Among classical composers, Rimsky-Korsakov is a standout for his gift of orchestration.

“He brought brilliant colors to the orchestra,” Tchivzhel said.

What’s Tchivzhel’s favorite part of the work?

“I can’t choose a favorite,” he said. “I like every measure, every second of this piece. It’s a fantastic piece. I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.”

Spotlight on the concertmaster: The voice of Scheherazade, the legendary storyteller, is given to the solo violin, soaring in suave melodies and tripping scales. Violinist Laura Colgate, enjoying her first year as the Greenville Symphony’s concertmaster, is the soloist.

From the desert to the snowy Russia: This weekend’s program takes the audience from “the hot Arabian night to the dreamy and poetic Russian winter,” Tchivzhel said.

Tchaikovsky’s First Symphony is titled “Winter Daydreams,” and it begins with a snowy sleighride.

Tchaikovsky was 26 when he wrote his First Symphony, but the youthful work reflects the mature composer’s fiery spirit and engaging tunefulness.

“It’s a very charming and sometimes dramatic work that ends on a joyous note,” Tchivzhel said.

Paul Hyde, a veteran Upstate journalist, will present a free pre-concert talk an hour before each Greenville Symphony concert. Follow Paul on Facebook and Twitter: @PaulHyde7.

If you go

What: The Greenville Symphony Orchestra: “Arabian Nights and Winter Dreams” (Edvard Tchivzhel conducting)

When: 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday (The Greenville Journal’s Paul Hyde will present a free pre-concert talk one hour before each performance.)

Where: Peace Center

Tickets: $19 to $75

Info: 864-467-3000 or www.peacecenter.org