Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture
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Free Music Notes for Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture
Free Music Review: What's not to like?
Hit: 5 Stars
All three of these pieces (which have been recorded MANY times) are superbly rendered here by Ormandy and the Philadelphians. Each of the performances may have been bettered elsewhere (e.g., I really like the REO by Stokowski and the Chicago Orch.), but hairs are definitely being split.
The sound on this recording is incredible--even better than on the vinyl (which was state-of-the-art in its day)--and the price is a steal. You'd be a fool not to buy it, even if you already have other versions.
Free Music Review: Missing music
Hit: 3 Stars
I am a big fan of Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. There was probably no conductor and orchestra better at Russian showpieces and it is wonderful to see these works on Sony at a budget price. Ormandy made two stereo recordings of the Sheherazade the other one was for RCA in the mid 1970's - I must admit I am disapointed in this Sheherazade for one big reason - there are many cuts made in the score - it is not a complete version. I do not know why Ormandy did this or was it a request of CBS at the time. His RCA is a complete version and the one I would recommend over this one. Unfortuantely, the RCA is only avaliable via BMG/Japan -
Over all this is a fine performance - but if you want to hear the glorious Philadelphia Orhcestra play this work complete and you can't get the Ormandy BMG/Japan recording - try the digital version Riccardo Muti made with the Orchestra in the 1980's on EMI - which is now on a budget line.
Free Music Review: Beautiful Music!
Hit: 4 Stars
Back in the 60's I bought Scherezade by Leopold Stowkowski and the London Symphony Orchestra on an LP. I wanted to purchase Stowkowski's version on a CD, but haven't been able to find it. I decided to try both Ormandy's and Reiner's interpretations to see if either came close to Stowkowski's version. Ormandy's is by far the better of the two. The sound is much better and Ormandy did realize the importance of the violin solos. I would actually give this version 4 1/2 stars, saving 5 stars for Stowkowski's. I also wrote a review of Reiner's version if you wish to read that too. I also enjoy the Russian Easter Overture.Free Music Review: A Dog in the Manger
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one of the greatest performances of this music. I will not repeat what excellent reviewers like Mr. Richman have already written here. I do feel the need to add one other star performer not recognized by any of these fine reviewers, or even on the liner notes. The uninvited guest performer is none other than Rin Tin Tin, the Wonder Dog.
Columbia did not use a new reel of tape in the original recording session. They re-used a tape previously used for the dog. His barking was not entirely erased. I had thought one of the horn players had a cold when listening to the LP. Now the truth has surfaced, alas, too late for the late Mr. Tin. Enjoy all, and I hope this encourages repeated close listening.
Free Music Review: Highly Worthy of the "Definitive" Title!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite pieces of Russian music ever composed, which is a mixed blessing in the sense that, when the music is performed the right way, it's positively revelatory, and when it's performed the wrong way, it's a massive bummer and leads to deep emotional frustration. I've heard lots of Scheherazades, including the ubiquitously lauded Reiner and Beecham discs, and I must say, for me, they can't hold a candle to this one. Here's why.
So many Scheherazades are all technique and no heart. Many listeners actually go for virtuosity and technique above emotion and pathos, which is A-OK with me (to each his own!), but those folks have tons of Scheherazades to pick from. As for the rest of us, it's a real struggle to find the one that DELIVERS. I hereby submit, my fellow sentimentalists, that this one is it!
Where some Scheherazades' second movements feature dry, passionless instrumentation, Ormandy gives the instantly recognizable violin theme a tuneful depth, richness, and just a touch of vibrato to give it the feel and tenderness of a human voice. The harps, also of note, give the dulcet sense of wonderment most Scheherazades just can't grasp. The oboes are indescribably good.
I think what I love best about this reading is that Ormandy doesn't seem at all afraid of adding just a touch of improvisation to give the work freshness and excitement. Tasteful cadenzas and flourishes abound, but never overcome compositional integrity or seem excessive. Best of all, in the passages that need to be thunderous, we get THUNDER! From the beginning of the fourth movement, the delightful reality of what this music can and is supposed to sound like crystalizes in one's mind.
In closing, don't take my word for it. Listen to Amazon's sound samples and hear for yourself how the innate magic of this piece takes wing under Ormandy's baton. Also highly recommended is Svetlanov's performance with the LSO, which is possessed of a similar spirit of emotional depth and musical richness, as is Monteux's dramatic (but pretty hard to track down) Scheherazade recording.