Rimsky-Korsakov's second excursion into the symphonic form came early in his career (1869) but underwent two major revisions, in 1875 and 1897. The second version of 1875 was modified in 1903 due to his publisher Bessel's refusal to engrave the new plates required for the final version of 1897. This 1875/1903 revision became the most popular version for many decades, as the final version of 1897 did not appear in print until nearly a decade after the composer's death.
This colorful, exotic symphony - later termed a "symphonic suite" by its composer, is easily the best known of the three composed by the great Russian master of orchestral writing . The study score offered here is a digitally-enhanced reprint of the one issued around 1947 by the Soviet State publishing house, Muzgiz. Serenissima is pleased to offer the matching large conductor score and orchestra parts (91925).