Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture/Capriccio Espanol

It's true. Not all versions of the same classic are the same. This is the best. Somehow Eugene Ormandy manages to present this classic in it's most dynamic range. The Orchestra plays these classic melodies with such verve and crispness, so as to create visual images of the classic story. Here, the Orchestra is able to caress the thematic violin passages with the softness and delicacy of fine silk, then able to create the violence and power of the great storm at sea in the fourth passage. This beautiful piece of music should be heard performed by this great orchestra under Mr. Ormandy's direction. Close your eyes and experience 1001 Arabian Nights put to music. Play it loud.

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.

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.

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.

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.