Est 1923

Rimsky-Korsakov/Ravel Orchestral Works

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Maurice Ravel

Label: Classics

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 60

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: 790729-2

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Boléro Maurice Ravel, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Maurice Ravel, Composer
Scheherazade Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer

Composer or Director: Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Maurice Ravel

Label: Classics

Media Format: Cassette

Media Runtime: 0

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: 790729-4

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Boléro Maurice Ravel, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Maurice Ravel, Composer
Scheherazade Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer

Composer or Director: Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Maurice Ravel

Label: Classics

Media Format: Vinyl

Media Runtime: 0

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: 790729-1

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Boléro Maurice Ravel, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Maurice Ravel, Composer
Scheherazade Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Composer
A sumptuous digital recording and consistently responsive orchestral playing ensures the success of this new version of Rimsky-Korsakov's exotic Arabian Nights entertainment. It has a particularly appealing Andantino, languorous with elegance in a Beechamesque way, with lovely string playing. At the bassoon solo near the opening of the second movement the free rubato of the phrasing also reminds one of Beecham's EMI record and there are many vivid touches of colour with the famous brass fanfares especially telling. The very opening of the work is strong on dynamic contrasts with the big trombone-dominated theme answered by radiant woodwind chords and David Nolan a beguiling violin soloist. Perhaps the overall grip of the reading is a little too spacious at times; the finale is exciting without being electrifying, but this remains very enjoyable when the recording, made in St Augustine's Church, Kilburn, is so richly opulent.
The performance of Bolero suffers a little from the resonance, which takes some of the edge off the basic rhythms, but the piece moves to a very powerful climax. Beecham's version of Scheherazade remains in a very special class. It was recorded in 1957 in Kingsway Hall and has incredibly good sound, but of course Litton has the advantage of a modern digital recording, sensitively masterminded by Andrew Keener.'

Rimsky-Korsakov/Ravel Orchestral Works

Boléro

Scheherazade

Rimsky-Korsakov/Ravel Orchestral Works

Boléro

Scheherazade

Rimsky-Korsakov/Ravel Orchestral Works

Boléro

Scheherazade

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