Valery Gergiev - Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade (2002) [SACD]

Valery Gergiev conducts the Kirov Orchestra (aka the Mariinsky Orchestra) in Scheherazade by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, In the Steppes of Central Asia by Alexander Borodin, and Islamey by by Mily Balakirev (Orch. Lyapunov). This is the Seventh of the 8 SACDs released by Philips Classics conducted by Valery Gergiev.
Review from Classic CD Review
Vergiev’s Scheherazade is expectedly volatile, individual and brilliantly played by his orchestra. It surely is among more interesting performances on record although I’m surprised he didn’t make more of the “Shipwreck” climax in the final movement—Temirkanov and the New York Philharmonic on RCA/BMG (61173) is the only recording—with the help of added timpani whacks—that really makes this a cataclysmic event. In the Steppes of Central Asia sounds a bit rushed for optimum effect, although it surely is effective, with its quiet high violins, to follow the quite similar soft ending of Scheherazade. Islamey, in the Lyapunov transcription, is another spectacular performance.


Tracks:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op.35
1. I The Sea and Sinbad's Ship
2. II The Story of the Kalendar Prince
3. III The Young Prince and Princess
4. IV Festival at Baghdad - The Sea - Shipwreck - Conclusion
5. Alexander Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
6. Mily Balakirev (orch. Lyapunov): Islamey

Personnel:

Sergei Levitin (violin)
Kirov Orchestra
Valery Gergiev (conductor)