Search - Maurice Ravel, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Andrew Litton :: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Ravel: Boléro

Don't Miss the Boat

08/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This dramatic performance must the best kept secret in the recent history of Scheherazade recordings. Andrew Litton has a gift for bringing life to this Rimsky-Korsakov favorite, grabbing the audience by its collective lapels with the growling bass of the opening chords and holding it spellbound until the last story ends and the sultan's young bride turns out the lamp.A couple of seasons ago, Maestro Litton led the Dallas Symphony in a performance of this piece, featuring the exquisite artistry of Concertmaster Emanuel Borok. Like the storm in Scheherazade's story, it blew the audience away. If you can't experience it in person, this 1988 offering by Litton and the London Philharmonic has to be the next best thing.Compare this rendition to others, up to and including the recent Atlanta recording on Telarc, and...well, there's no comparison. Litton and the Londoners are not content to give you a nice ride. They lead you on a rocking adventure that will have you grabbing the ship's railing to keep your balance. With Litton at the helm, there's as much anticipation in the pauses as there is excitement in the chords.The sonics and clarity are impressive throughout, and Ravel's Bolero is a fine "bonus" track.This CD barely misses five stars for one reason. In order to enjoy David Nolan's initial violin solo -- the voice of Scheherazade herself -- the volume has to be cranked up so that you're jolted out of your easy chair when the full orchestra returns. But, hey, what digital recording does this not describe? It's a small price to pay.All in all, I'd suggest you take your Dramamine, climb aboard and turn up the volume. Otherwise, you'll be missing the boat."