Richard Ellsasser (1926–1972) was
an organ prodigy and performed on all organs, classical, theatre, large, small, pipe, and electronic. A prolific recitalist, his
repertoire ranged from Bach to twentieth century, transcriptions, and light popular music.
Nikolas (Nikolai or Nicolai) Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakoff (1844–1908)
was born in Tikhvin, Russia, and became one of a group of five Russian nationalist composers known primarily for their orchestral music and
operas. He was a professor of composition, harmony, and orchestration at the St Petersburg Conservatory from 1871 until 1905.
The Flight of the Bumble Bee is taken from Act 3, Tableau 1, of the opera, The Tale of Tsar Sultan (1899–1900).
This orchestral interlude occurs where the Tsar’s son, who has been transformed into a bee by the magic Swan-Bird, is in flight to
visit his father. Many musicians have arranged this piece in order to demonstrate the instrumental virtuosity of the soloist. Richard
Ellsasser recorded his version in 1953 on the Hammond Organ-Concert Model, after having performed it as an encore during his concerts.
Although there had been a published organ arrangement by Gordon Balch Nevin in 1928, Ellsasser placed the virtuosity in the pedals in his
arrangement. Difficult.