Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Borodin: Symphony No. 2 [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Alexander Borodin (Composer), Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Composer), Kirill Kondrashin (Conductor), Concertgebouw Orchestra (Orchestra), Herman Krebbers (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Herman Krebbers
• Orchestra: Concertgebouw Orchestra
• Conductor: Kirill Kondrashin
• Composer: Alexander Borodin, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
• Audio CD (July 10, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00005IB5H
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,585 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new reference recording of Scheherazade, November 9, 2001

By 

Francis Gagnon (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Borodin: Symphony No. 2 (Audio CD)

What makes a reference recording? First, a great rendition of the material. Second, great sound and finally, lasting appeal. This one has it all.

The interpretation of the material by the Concertgebouw Orchestra proves that Kirill Kondrashin captured the essence of the Thousand and One Nights. He tells us a story about adventure, love and magic through the music.

The balance between the festive and more dramatic parts is superb. Surprisingly, the full interpretation runs 44:16 even though it seems, at first, that it is played rather rapidly (to a rare loss of control even). But the accent on the more majestuous parts of it, make it clock at the average length of Scheherazade renditions.

As for the sound, it is incredible. Philips has done a phenomenal job at restoring this already acclaimed recording. The 96kHz 24-BIT process proves to be first rate. The placement of the instruments in the orchestra is even better that with the previous release of the material. The winds section sounds great and the brass section full. A MUST for any audiophile. The only thing they could not fix is the almost imperceptible click between takes during the conclusion. Many people might not even notice.

As for the lasting appeal, you will be coming back to this one time and time again. It is not a coincidence that Scheherazade has been recorded time and time again. It is because it is an all time favorite. It will become one of yours after listening to this performance.

Lets not forget about Borodin though. Too often, Scheherazade has been matched with the Capriccio Espagnol. This recording matches it with Borodin's Symphony No.2. Great choice! The dynamics of the piece will wake you up for sure. Some may find it a bit to aggressive, but for my part, I find it to be very well suited to complement Scheherazade. The only quirk is that it is a live rendition of the symphony. Some might not like to hear people coughing and moving. The symphony also benefits a little less from the remastering process, but chances are you will buy it for the extraordinary rendition of Scheherazade anyway...

You might also want to check EMI Great Recordings of the Century. Scheherazade by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Beecham. It gets second place on my list.

Enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Krebbers makes the difference., August 20, 2003

By 

S. Baird (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Borodin: Symphony No. 2 (Audio CD)

Not much to add to what's already been written in other customer reviews. This is, as one other reviewer noted, the finest performance of the Scheherazade I've ever heard - from the point of view of sound quality, I don't think it has ever been equaled either. Herman Krebbers' violin is perfectly recorded, and his performance is sublime.

I have been investigating many Concertgebouw recordings lately on the basis of the sound of the recording, and I must say that I've come to a larger appreciation of the sound we get from this group in that place. This particular recording may well represent the sound of the Concertgebouw better than any other I've ever heard, placing the listener about 20 rows deep and centered; far enough away to offer a realistic perspective, yet close enough to hear individual instruments in detail (on a quality audio system, of course).

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is it!!, August 4, 2001

By 

Dr S.Gustafsson (Stockholm;Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Borodin: Symphony No. 2 (Audio CD)

This version of Sheherazade is the one to go for. It has since it was released on LP in 1980 always been my favorit version. I have countless of other versions( i love this work)including Reiner,Mackerras,Muti,Temirkanov,Beecham,Karajan etc, and i can honestly say that no other version have such great and natural sonics (with the possibly exception of the new Telarc CD) It`s true that Kondrashin doesnt thinker with the tempos, he`s letting the music speak for itself and by doing so he is creating genuin excitment. Hermann Krebbers portrayal of Sheherezades narrative is equally compelling. A must have disc.