“Without a doubt, the AP pressing sounds much more natural than the Classic Records reissue; the sound is simply less forced, as if the notes and rhythms have more air to explore, more ambient Hall to reverberate, and more of the acoustic envelope to reveal. … the vinyl is so damn quiet, you can turn it up without any hesitation … The solo violin is the heart of this recording and it’s supposed to sound seductive, and on this reissue, it does. One thing if for certain, there is a lot more information coming through than on the original. The AP pressing takes the simplistic approach of the Chesky, but with a more developed sound, making the Chesky appear a bit more subdued by comparison. … If you are interested in hearing this classic RCA in all of its natural glory, you needn’t look any further than Chad Kassem’s latest offering. If this is any indication of Analogue Production’s current batch of RCA reissues (approximately 24 more on the way), it just may be a new golden age for the modern vinyl listener.” — Joey Weiss, HP Soundings, May 2013
“…The second movement is just ravishing in the beauty of the Chicago’s playing and Reiner’s romantic approach; there is some staccato triple-tonguing done by trumpeter Adolph Herseth in the fourth movement that should leave you, if not him, breathless. But let it just be said that, after you hear this, no other Scheherazade will ever replace it in your affections.” HP’s The Golden Dozen LPs – Harry Pearson, The Absolute Sound, June/July 2007
The jewel in the Living Stereo crown. Enchantment awaits within! Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony convey the listener on a magic carpet of Living Stereo sound to mythic Arabia and China, guided by two of Russia’s greatest orchestral masters.
This, like the Respighi, is considered one of the very best recordngs by Reiner, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and RCA’s crew. A disc of supple and sensuous performances, the sound alternately shimmers and stuns with the clarity of its definition and intensity of its climaxes.
Musicians:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Fritz Reiner, conductor
Sidney Harth, violin solo
The Sea And Sinbads Ship
The Story Of The Kalender Prince.
The Young Prince And The Young Princess.
Festival In Bagdad; The Sea; The Ship Goes To Pieces On A Rock Surmounted By A Bronze Warrior