Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture

Seraphim records...

The classical music is, of course, 5 stars. I enjoy the Seraphim price range for educational music CDs. Seraphim never has the greatest fidelity with their CDs, however; but it is definately worth buying. August 5, 2008

Keep looking...

...unless you are only buying this CD for Scheherazade. The orchestra never hits the right buttons with Cappricio Espagnol, and sounds rather plodding throughout. The opening of the Russian Easter Overture is difficult enough since there is nothing going on but unison, and if it isn't done right, it can sound rather high-schoolish, as it does here. The reading of Scheherazade, however, is decent and worth a listen. December 29, 2007

Cd of Rimsky=Korsakov

This is a first rate CD! I received it quickly and I am very happy with my purchase. August 12, 2007

Stellar Performance

Having been a professional violinist and pianist for thirty years, I have developed a special appreciation for classical music. Scheherezade is one of the great orchestral pieces. This version clearly highlights the great skill of the composer and the orchestra. All the pieces on this cd are performed at a high skill level and the recording quality is excellent. It is on a par with the great performances by other orchestras, and I highly recommend it. June 27, 2007

Nostalgia

My father was a classical musician in the days when every major theater had a pit orchestra of concert-level musicians. Boris Morros, a Russian born impresario paid tribute to them, saying: "the impact of these luxurious film theaters on the culture of America has never been properly emphasized. In one of our marble movie temples every tired scrub-lady could feel like a queen--for fifty cents--and every bootblack like a king as they lounged back in more comfortable chairs than monarchs ever enjoyed. I was impressed by the ever-growing popularity of the so-called good music the large symphony orchestras in these theaters played at each performance. From the day they opened they had thrilled audiences of ordinary people (who were supposed to have appreciation only for ragtime and sentimental ballads) with first-rate renditions...." Anyway, when those theaters and orchestras went, the substitute was a cult of mediocrity, so I was just indulging myself listening to all the horn work in Korsakov and remembering all those 'good ol days.'
June 27, 2007

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