Search - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra :: Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture/Capriccio Espanol

Rimsky-Korsakov's Three Greatest Works On One CD.

need coffee now! | Bay Area, CA, USA | 03/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To have Rimsky-Korsakov's three greatest compositions on one cd is rare. Add in the fact that this is a bargain cd costing about $7.00 and it makes the cd more attractive. And then you listen to these knockout performances by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orcestra and like me, you will hopefully realize this cd and the music it contains are hard to beat.



SHEHEREZADE (Opus 35) is the longest composition here lasting about forty minutes and comprising of four movements. Rimsky-Korsakov ranks with Beethoven, Berlioz and Mahler and one of the greatest orchestrators ever. From the loud, rasping, almost violent brass at the start representing the Sultan through the relaxed beauty of the string music in The Young Prince And The young Princess and on to the frantic bustle of The Festival at Baghdad and finally the use of the Sultan's theme to convey a shipwreck against the rocks, it is one of the most descriptive compositions written by anyone. But it is the quiet ending that makes the biggest impression. Listen to the solo violin representing the voice of Sheherezade, played by Anshel Brusilow. The final three minutes will stay with you forever with its long sustained notes in the violin's highest register.



In the wrong hands, The RUSSIAN EASTER OVERTURE (Opus 36) can be very slow to get going but not here. The solemn opening gives way to another Rimsky-Korsakov winning melody that the Philadelhia Orchestra unleash with all their power. The music completely grabs you, carrying you headlong to a triumphant, glorious close



CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOL (Opus 34) is one of those sunny, uplifting pieces that is blessed with one of the most memorable and best loved melodies in all of Classical Music. Consisting of twelve notes in the 4th section (Scena...), you will know it immediately when you hear it. This is the best version I have ever heard. Ormandy makes Rimsky's brilliant use of orchestration sound so clear with plenty of weight and thankfully not making the piece sound rushed and breathless as is the case with Jarvi or Maazel.



The cd was recorded nearly 50 years ago but you would not guess as the performances sound so fresh and exciting; tender when required but loud and brash which this music also demands. For those of you new to classical music this is one cd I would recommend whole-hearetedly as the music is so memorable and immediately appealing without being shallow. I also think the performances of this trio of great works would make Rimsky-Korsakov proud.



SHEEREZADE

1. THE SEA AND SINBAD'S SHIP: 10.17

2. THE STORY OF THE KALANDER PRINCE: 11.41

3. THE YOUNG PRINCE AND THE YOUNG PRINCESS: 9.46

4. FESTIVAL AT BAGHDAD; THE SEA; SHIPWRECK: 12.22



5. RUSSIAN EASTER OVERTURE: 14.22



CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOL

6. ALBORADA: vivo e strepitoso: 1.15

7. VARIAZIONI: andante con moto: 4.53

8. ALBORADA: vivo e strepitoso: 1.20

9. SCENA E CANTO GITANO: allegretto: 5.14

5. FANDANGO ASTURIANO: 3.32



"

Ormandy is so under-appreciated!

Thomas Martin | USA | 09/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Admittedly, I am a ardent fan of Eugene Ormandy. When one considers the number of recordings he made at Philadelphia, and how many are, or are, very near the best available, it gives one pause. His Scherezade is no different. I defy any listener to idenfity this recording as being made in 1959! The remastering is remarkable. I could not detect any hiss at all, but more importantly, it is a performance of vitality and urgency, and exquisite playing. I highly recommend this very technicolor performance (and as a point of reference for other listeners, I was completely under-whelmed with Beecham. Kondrashin is my second choice)."