Gergiev: Rimsky-Korsakov – Sheherazade (APE)

Composer: Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
Performer: Sergei Levitin
Orchestra: St.Petersburg Kirov Orchestra
Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Philips
Size: 298 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

# Scheherazade, symphonic suite for orchestra, Op. 35
Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Performed by St.Petersburg Kirov Orchestra
with Sergei Levitin
Conducted by Valery Gergiev

# In the Steppes of Central Asia (V sredney Azii), musical picture for orchestra
Composed by Alexander Borodin
Performed by St.Petersburg Kirov Orchestra
Conducted by Valery Gergiev

# Islamey, Oriental fantasy for piano
Composed by Mily Balakirev
Performed by St.Petersburg Kirov Orchestra
Conducted by Valery Gergiev

I really like this controversial, heavily reviewed rendition.

I really like this controversial, heavily reviewed rendition. The first time through, I did notice the extra slow trombone solo and thought of Bartok, which was weird. On replays, the slow trombone seemed natural. Obviously this was a great collaboration of some the brightest eastern bloc orchestral artists at a time a major change. I’m glad that modern recording found them before they dispersed. Other than the highly engineered nature of Decca recordings, I cannot find any fault. The musicianship is amazing.