Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Igor Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Composer), Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Fritz Reiner (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Fritz Reiner
• Composer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Igor Stravinsky
• Audio CD (February 27, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003FWQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,091 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely magnificent!, December 7, 2000

By 

Jim Youngmeyer (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Igor Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale (Audio CD)

This is *the* classic recording of Rimski-Korsakov's masterpiece. This magnificent work requires a first rate virtuoso orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchesta at its peak under Fritz Reiner delivers in spades. The playing is nothing short of breathtaking -- the woodwinds are gorgeous, the brass and percussion climaxes are thrilling, and the strings are mellifluous. The recording, although 40 years old, easily holds its own with today's digital recordings. This is truly one of the finest classical music recordings of all time.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get it for the finest Scheherazade on disc!, March 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Igor Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale (Audio CD)

Certainly one of reiner's most famous recordings of the many superlative ones he made with the CSO, this remains an absolute favorite, from the time i first heard it, until now, while i currently listen to it while i type.
I love the commanding opening the brass announce, and sidney harth, not john weicher as another reviewer said...it simply gets better, as harth doesn't indulge in the solos as many other violinsts have done, and continue to do. the first movement is a tidal wave of energy, and reiner's rubato has never been approached.
the second movement solos by the principal winds are inimitable as well, proving that this piece is an orchestral showoff one as if reiner were saying, "look how good my orchestra is!" He was absolutely right.
The third movement is wonderfully seductive in the strings, which were much better then than now, and the quirky clarinet and flute solos. Again, Reiner's rubato is unparalled.
What absolutely stuns me is the last movement, played at such a dashing pace that reiner proves only the chicago symphony under his direction could do what they did. Listen to the incredible virtuosity of the strings, winds, percussion, and esp. the brass (how bout those 32nd notes, all you brass players?) any brass player ought to own this recording fo it proved that the brass of the CSO were indeed, the best of their era, and that includes the vienna and berlin philharmonics. sidney harth really does sing his heart out on the violin in the end, smartly opting to play the stratospheric high notes instead of opting for less invigorating and more dull harmonics that one usually hears. whether that was harth's decision or reiner's i don't know, but it works. oh, by the way, this movement was done in, get this...ONE TAKE! what orchestra today could do that? not many is the correct answer. Or, what conductor could make this cartoony music not sound incredibly cheesy? not many either. Hence why reiner and CSO have the best scherazade there ever will be.
I've heard quite a bit of fritz reiner's recordings, and this, i must say, might be his finest.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the two best recordings, May 28, 2000

By 

kreisleriana16 (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Igor Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale (Audio CD)

The Shererazade was recorded at the peak of both the CSO and Reiner's tenure with that ensemble. The playing is precise and clear. The dynamics are superb. John Weicher's violin solos are virtuoso (Weicher was Concertmaster for many years with the CSO). The recording was made at a time when CSO recordings were coming out on a regular basis from RCA with their then "Living Stereo" technique.

As in other CSO recordings of this period RCA was able to master the excellent accoustics of Orchestra Hall adding to the all ready outstanding playing of this orchestra based in more of a "German" traditional sound dating back to the ensemble's origins.

Reiner was able to keep under control his powerful brass section which was one of the world's best. The musicianship is tops.

The problem is that one almost has to have two recordings as the Beecham/RPO recording is also outstanding. It is similar to Reiner's with the outstanding ensemble that Sir Thomas was able to achieve without sneering down at his members.

For Reiner/CSO fans this is an absolute "must have". For those who enjoy the work either recording will suffice. As to which is better: that is up to the ears of the listener!