Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave ~ Stokowski [Original recording remastered]

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Composer), Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Stokowski (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Conductor), Erich Gruenberg (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Erich Gruenberg
• Conductor: Stokowski, London Symphony Orchestra
• Composer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (November 20, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Cala
• ASIN: B0000LPLQ2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,097 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Scheherazade I've Heard, November 27, 2005

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LD400RN (Sebaastopol, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave ~ Stokowski (Audio CD)

I grew up listening to this recording on its original Phase 4 LP. Over the years I've owned or listened to other recordings of Scheherazade while waiting for this one to be released on CD. I missed its Decca CD release and am now thankful that Cala has reissued it. It is the best recording of Scheherazade out there. Stokowski was not rigid in his tempos for this recording and the music flows freely, hanging onto and savoring a phrase or note here, driving forward with intensity there. Stokowski really pulled the passion in the piece out of the London Symphony and they play exceptionally well and with fine solo playing throughout (I love the bassoon and oboe solos that come near the beginning of the second movement). Compared to this one, other recordings seem mechanical and passionless. The Marche Slav recording was done at a live concert and has some extremes in its tempi. In spite of this it is well played and has a thrilling ending. The bonus tracks of the rehearsal process are fascinating and brought back memories of my high school days in band and orchestra. You will not be disappointed by this recording.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still, the most exciting Scheherazade and marchs slave after so many years., May 9, 2010

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Wei Hsien Li "CC" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave ~ Stokowski (Audio CD)

Stokowski's Russian music is always very tricky for recommending to fellow listeners. His approach is not authentic, yet extremely convincing. He can turn those Russian fireworks into serious masterpieces. The most dangerous part is, one can hardly find other interpretations interesting after listened to his. This CD contains two classic examples. Stokowski's Scheherazade is lush, warm, and powerful. His tempo is a little bit too flexible, but you will agree with him in the end. Out of his five recordings of Scheherazade, I prefer this one for its emotional presentation. The 1974 RCA version is better controlled and lyrical, not to mention better sound. This 1960s Decca recording sometimes has overload, which is the major pitfall for this recording. This CALA reissue somewhat mitigate the issue, but it is still there (what a pity!).

So I went on for looking for some other recordings to find a perfect Scheherazade, and I failed miserably. I here state the conclusion first: The only two non-Stokowski Scheherazade I'll still pick up and spend time to listen to are BeechamRimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade etc. and Mackerras Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade/Capriccio Espagnol. However, both Stokowski's Scheherazades are still my first go-to recording after so many years.

Beecham: lush and beautifully played, also pretty emotional.

Mackerras: overall balanced, a good reference recording without being bored.

Kondrashin: also balanced and lyrical, but the sound is surpassed by Mackerras.

Reiner: The sound is amazing, Chicago plays with authority, but Reiner's stiff interpretation is not as good as the above mentioned recordings.

Karajan / Ormandy: lush and gorgeous sound but lack of passion.

Gergiev: very well recorded, but as for interpretation he falls to the bottom..

The story of Marche slave is similar. Stokowski really crank up the emotional part of this work and makes this work sounds like a masterpiece. He also cut the repeat in the finale which makes the climax more overwhelming. In other words, you must get someone else's Marche slave to understand why Tchaikovsky himself doesn't like this work. You may give Tchaikovsky extra credit by listening to Stokowski's rendition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite possibly the best recording of Scheherazade ever made, January 4, 2008

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D. R. Schryer (Poquoson, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave ~ Stokowski (Audio CD)

Despite his initial training as an organist and his love of Bach, Leopold Stokowski is most famous as a conductor of unbridled performances of masterpieces of the Romantic era. This performance of Scheherazade is one of his greatest recordings. Made in 1964 in London/Decca Phase 4 stereo, this outstanding CD has been remastered by Cala records -- in cooperation with the Leopold Stokowski Society -- and sounds as if it were recorded last year. This is Scheherazade for lovers of full blown Romanticism. If this is your type of music, you will love this CD. Highly recommended.