|
Reiner's performance has a mystery, that Gergiev lacks. This is an EXCEPTIONAL recording. For me, Reiner gives the definitive reading of this magnificent score.The following FOR SACD AUDIOPHILES ONLY--BUT--if you really want to launch your rocket, try putting your SACD player in 2 CHANNEL mode and switching your receiver into Dolby PLIIx music mode. WARNING: If you try listening this way, going back will somehow sound a little FLAT. Also, crashes on the cymbal occasionally overload the left channel. Don't let that fool you. And Reiner has fire and passion that explodes across the stage. I have the SACD of the Kirov Orchestra recorded in 2002.
And MORE, you might even dare try this with regular CDs or other 2/3 channel SACDs. The great Russian (actually Ossetian) conductor Valery Gergiev gives an invigorating reading of this score, but for me the orchestra lacks the finish of the CSO under Reiner. That makes this recording nearly 50 years old. But the spatial aspects of this recording defy its half century age. With this setup (this ONLY works if your player AND receiver are connected via HDMI cable) you will get the full SACD dynamic range expertly and convincingly distributed into your 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 surround system. Now if you are a purist you will never go there, but if you want a really involving experience (and you have the system to pull it off) give this a spin.
Suddenly you are not just listening from the audience, but you are quite literally in the middle of the orchestra. There exists a soundstage that extends beyond the left and right speakers and there is a depth of sound where the instruments have height combined with front to back spatial integration creating a convincing 3D image.The performance itself is stellar. Hear a new revelation in sound with this SACD.RCA originally recorded this in 1960 using 3 channels. In the 3 channel presentation there is a presence and dimensionality too often missing in more recent recordings. The fidelity is remarkable. It is not flawless and the highs can have a bit of an edge.
I promise, you will Hear a new revelation in sound with this SACD.
Throughout the six hours required, there was constant exhortation by Dr. One version reveled in buttery sound and not always accurate execution; another proferred razor-sharp execution and equally ear-rending decibel content; still a third beckoned you from afar with a 'concert-hall' pickup, and so it went. Fritz Reiner was well-aware of this fact in 1960 when he conceived this historic recording. Reiner to the men in the orchestra 'to play with glow, not perspiration'. To capture the Arabian temptress in all her glittering changes was not a simple task.Once each of the facets of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was heard [referring to the lengthy orchestra practice sessions], music making was in order.
During the morning session the first two movements were recorded, the last two during the afternoon period. Here's a blurp from the notes which explains his subsequent efforts more fully:"Some weeks before the actual recording was made, most of the existing recordings of the music were studied, re-studied, judged and re-judged. Scheherazade is performed a LOT. The best were very good, but short of that perfection for which all mortals strive. The performance had to be supple and sensuous, the sound alternately to shimmer and stun, with clarity in its definition, sonority and intensity in its climaxes."Folks, this is about as perfect as it's ever going to get.Just to follow up, the 1956 recording of Stravinsky's "Song of the Nightingale" is also quite good and is a piece that, in this level of quality, isn't all that easy to find.
As a consequence, he fostered no desire to yield just another run-of-the-mill performance. And it's also a perfect second, complementary piece to Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade".This is an ADD recording/CD.A must-have for collectors and a superb choice for all others.
I am always stirred by the trumpet player's tonguing technique here and the driving, onward pace of the final movement of Scheherazade. The Stravinsky is also a marvel to hear, one of the thrilling and colorful works that display the composer's indebtedness to his wonderful composition teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov. Conductor Fritz Reiner beautifully captures the fragrant aromas of Rimsky-Korsakov's exotic orchestrations with great poetry and sensitivity and just the right touches of elegance and flair from concertmaster Sidney Harth and the Chicago Symphony to make this one of the greatest performances ever. The mastering in this edition is spectacular in SACD and all three specialized formats and the compatibility all in one disk is extraordinary.
That is the loudest passages are truncated (i.e. This assessment is made in comparision to my original vinyl LP of this same recording.
made quieter) and the softest passes are truncaded (i.e. made louder).
This specific performanace of this album is excellent. Presumably to get the best audio from the CD recording you will need SACD playback equipment.
The musical content is excellent and is a real crowd pleaser that anyone would want to listen to frequently. The technical recording (Hybrid SACD) is muddy when played back on ordinary equipment.
If you don't have a decent copy of vinyl version I would highly recommend this CD.
At that time the Chicago Symphony and conductor Fritz Reiner were both at the top of their game, and this recording has not been equalled to this day. Absolutely puts the listener in the middle of the ninth or tenth row, and provides the clean dynamic sound of the best recordings made today. This multichannel SACD is recorded in the front 3 channels only, as this is what the technicians and their top notch analog equipment recorded more than 40 years ago. This is the wonderful Scheherazade I grew up with, but much better because of SACD technology and my current audio system.
|
May be eligible for FREE Shipping offer
