Fritz Reiner - Rimsky-Korsakoff: Scheherazade

See the entire RCA Living Stereo LP First Set (limited availability)
See the entire RCA Living Stereo SACD First Set
See the entire RCA Living Stereo LPs Second Set
See the entire RCA Living Stereo SACDs Second Set

3-track mix included

RCA Living Stereo — the gold standard for top quality orchestral performance and sound!

Remastered from the original master tape by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound

"Anyone who says Reiner is a rigid and chilly conductor or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra just blasts away should listen to the suppleness of this finely nuanced performance. ... On the Analogue Productions SACD, the brasses have similar sizzle (as the RCA SACD) but are properly focused toward the rear of the orchestra. The solo violin is not edgy and the instrument is quite normal in size; you can almost visualize Sidney Harth playing it. The detail of the light percussion (triangle, snare drum, cymbals, tambourine) in the fourth movement is exquisite. The bass drum has plenty of punch, but it is tight and never muddies Rimsky-Korsakoff's transparent soundscape." — Arthur Lintgen, The Absolute Sound, January 2015

"My initial impressions are pretty clear: the new Analogue Productions RCA Living Stereo SACDs are definitely an improvement over the older BMG/RCA SACDs. In fact, there's no doubt about it in my listening sessions. ... there is a better sense of space, more detail and deeper, richer lower frequencies. ... The dynamics on the APO SACD are better, of a certainty, to my ears. ... This is a remarkable accomplishment." — David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief, Positive Feedback Online. Read Robinson's full review here: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue72/Scheherazade.htm

"…The second movement is just ravishing in the beauty of the Chicago's playing and Reiner's romantic approach; there is some staccato triple-tonguing done by trumpeter Adolph Herseth in the fourth movement that should leave you, if not him, breathless. But let is just be said that, after you hear this, no other Scheherazade will ever replace it in your affections." HP's The Golden Dozen LPs – Harry Pearson, The Absolute Sound, June/July 2007

The jewel in the Living Stereo crown. Enchantment awaits within! Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony convey the listener on a magic carpet of Living Stereo sound to mythic Arabia and China, guided by two of Russia's greatest orchestral masters. 

This, like the Respighi, is considered one of the very best recordngs by Reiner, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and RCA's crew. A disc of supple and sensuous performances, the sound alternately shimmers and stuns with the clarity of its definition and intensity of its climaxes. 

Musicians:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Fritz Reiner, conductor
Sidney Harth, violin solo

1. The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship

2. The Story of the Kalender Prince

3. The Young Prince and the Young Princess

4. Festical in Bagdad; The Sea; The Ship Goes to Pieces on a Rock Surmounted by a Bronze Warrior (Shipwreck); Conclusion

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 1 person(s) rated this product.

Five stars +++++ posted on 07/03/2017 5 Stars Reviewer: My2cents Classical music is a relatively new (and limited) exploration for me so I cannot speak with authority concerning the music itself but it doesn't need me to as it certainly speaks for itself. Suffice it to say that I love this music even though it is new to these ears. But I can speak to the quality of this reissue because I have been purchasing music for over half a century and I've experienced all of the highs and lows that go with this lifelong endeavor. It seems that I am always in search of the "definitive" version of albums that I love and this was one of those rare times when you know that you could not have done any better and likely never will. I purchased the vinyl edition first and loved it so much that I also purchased the SACD for those times when a disc is more convenient. I cannot recommend this more strongly or more highly. If you are a fan of this title (or a novice such as myself), then purchase this with confidence. A huge "thank you" to all responsible.

Write a review and let people know what you think of this product OR just rate it.