Customer Reviews

Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade; Capriccio espagnol

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have several versions of Sheherazade and this has become one of my favorites. First, it is beautifully recorded with refined balances of the orchestra's scale and nuance. Second, it captures something quite beyond the obvious well known composition; a magical sense of the story and imagery of the piece. Finally, it seems to embody all that I liked about my other recordings as far as the quality of the orchestration and sound but after several listenings, it sustains a visceral excitement in the experience.

I completely agree with reviewer "Thomas Randleman's" opinion of this CD. both the Scheherazade and Capriccio espagñol are powerful recordings that capture the spirit of the pieces very well, and the sonics and balance are also great.

Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade is rather well served on disc, and determining which one is the best is a monstrous task (Mackerras and Järvi on Chandos remain good candidates, at least). Ozawa's version with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, recorded in 1978, received an overall rather lukewarm reception from critics when it arrived. I think it has altogether more going for it than the critical reception would imply, however. Yes, it is on the less "driven" and forceful side, emphasizing rather the wistful and dreamlike side of the music. I can even (to some extent) agree that it tends toward the picture postcard neat rather than the alluring. In short, this is in many ways a "middle-of-the-road" performance, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, and this version is as such eminently recommendable if you want a version that isn't prone to excess in one direction or other. So no, it is not the best version available, but if you only want one version it is actually not a bad choice.

When it comes to the assets, the most obvious feature is the scintillating, luminous playing of the Boston Symphony; lush, gorgeous, atmospheric, very colorful and sensitive to detail without losing sight of overall structure. It also benefits from very fine sound; sumptuous, ripe and warm and detailed. The coupling is also excellent; Järvi's Capriccio espagnol is brilliant and spirited; consistently on the fast side, but exciting, energetic and even exhilarating. It replaced Ozawa's version on earlier reissued, and I have to say that Järvi's sparkling version is the stronger by some distance. All in all, perhaps not a top recommendation - especially if you already know the work and are on the lookout for strong alternative takes - but a fine version nevertheless.

Good price, good quality, and much earlier than I would buy it in any bookstore.