Flight of the Bumblebee

'Flight of the Bumblebee' is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera 'The Tale of Tsar Saltan'. The piece closes the 3rd act, during which the magic Swan-Bird changes Prince Gvidon Saltanovich (the Tsar's son) into an insect so that he can fly away to visit his father (who does not know that he is alive).

'The Flight of the Bumblebee' became a real showpiece and is transcribed for almost every combination of instruments and used many times in movies and commercials. This transcription follows the original orchestral instrumentation with virtuosi contributions of flutes and clarinets.