Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Russian Easter Overture (2005)

Recorded when the conductor was a 93 years old, Leopold Stokowski's 1975 recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade with the Royal Philharmonic is still prime Stokowski. The instrumental colors are vivid and spectacular. The tone qualities are lush and ravishing. The long melodies are full and sensual. The formal shapes are strong and supple. Scheherazade is exactly the sort of piece at which Stokowski always excelled and his performance here is as effective as the best ever recorded.Recorded seven years earlier when the ... Read More

Recorded when the conductor was a 93 years old, Leopold Stokowski's 1975 recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade with the Royal Philharmonic is still prime Stokowski. The instrumental colors are vivid and spectacular. The tone qualities are lush and ravishing. The long melodies are full and sensual. The formal shapes are strong and supple. Scheherazade is exactly the sort of piece at which Stokowski always excelled and his performance here is as effective as the best ever recorded.Recorded seven years earlier when the conductor was a sprightly 86, Stokowski's 1968 recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is even better. All the same characteristics that informed his Scheherazade are present in his Russian Easter Overture, plus, with the muscular playing of the Chicago, the performance is more robust and vigorous. Both performances are fully competitive with the best and RCA's sound is as immediate as the best stereo sound. Anyone would enjoy them... Read Less