Flying High

Famous as a perpetual-motion twister of the tongue or the fingers, this piece is the consummate virtuoso encore, and has been arranged and adapted for every conceivable instrument and ensemble. Ironically, in the suite the composer arranged the excerpt isn't even included! Court intrigue leads the Tsar to mistakenly condemn his wife and son to be cast into the open sea in a barrel. After being rescued, the prince transforms himself and flies home to be reunited with his repentant father.