Scheherazade
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Op. 35
Recordings
Kirill Kondrashin / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
1979 Wonderfully recorded, great warmth and power. Features Hermann Krebbers on violin.Top choice. An old standard. Interpretation is spot on, wonderfully paced. Features (for my money) the best portrayal of Scheherazade by soloist Hermann Krebbers. Final movement is exciting.
Also Worth Hearing
Valery Gergiev / Kirov Orchestra
2002Newer, very recommendable. Really exciting, wonderfully recorded, and passionate. Gergiev is assertive and dramatic; it really packs a punch.
Sir Thomas Beecham / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
1957 Pretty good stereo.An old classic. Not the most dramatic or immaculately played, but Beecham has a magic touch for creating the dreamscape, the magical, evocative, sensual spirit.
Leopold Stokowski / London Symphony Orchestra
1964 Really good sound quality.The first Stokowski to seek out. More on the assertive side (like Gergiev), passionate and dramatic. Milks all the drama and passion, which comes natural to this work.
Andre Previn / London Symphony Orchestra
1968Highly recommended. A little more on the gentle, slower side, which really works. The magical evocative feeling comes through, as well as real powerful climaxes. Still a top choice.
Sir Eugene Goossens / London Symphony Orchestra
1959 Everest sound quality is great.A great Scheherazade that deserves to be remembered. Not as dramatic as Stokowski, but a very natural interpretation that builds slowly with an exciting finale. Beauty and clarity.
Label: EverestFritz Reiner / Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1960 Demonstration quality.Arguably the most famous one. Brilliant, impressive, knocks your socks off. Faster, assertive. Personally, I'm more impressed than moved; feels colder and stiffer, lacking the magical, sensuous qualities.
Label: RCA Living StereoCharles Mackerras / London Symphony Orchestra
1990 Wonderful Telarc sound, crystal clear.Great clarity, assertive, faster side, wonderful brass. Beautiful. Also a little stiff, not as passionate or sensuous as others, but still worth it for the score and sound.
Label: TelarcIssay Dobrowen / Philharmonia Orchestra
Mono, but fairly good sounding.Very passionate, red-blooded, dramatic. They play their hearts out. Maybe a little too over the top for some, but worth keeping for the passion.