Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Borodin: Polovtsian Dances. Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. EMI 7243 5 66998 2.(Review)

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Borodin: Polovtsian Dances. Sir Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. EMI 7243 5 66998 2.

For nearly 30 years I have been living contentedly with Haitink's 1972 London Philharmonic version of Scheherazade on Philips. His unfussy account has always seemed to me to present the work in the proper proportion of poetry and grand passion. But both the interpretation and the recording may seem too straightforward for some listeners. Recorded a few years later, 1979, came Kondrashin's Concertgebouw reading, also on Philips, with an altogether more dynamic impact. It, too, became, a prime choice in this material. In the digital age, only two recordings impressed me as strongly: Krivine on Denon and Mackerras on Telarc. And before Haitink, I had only three other old favorites: Monteux on Decca; Reiner on RCA; and Beecham on EMI. Except for the Monteux, which I have not seen on CD, the older editions hold their heads high.

Beecham not only holds his own against any competition, his 1958 EMI recording, newly remastered in EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" series, is head and shoulders above most. Indeed, for many listeners, myself included, it may now take top honors. There is no doubt his is the most ...