Best Recording of Scheherazade

Many great ones available which are better than versions at your library, for CD I recommend:

Gergiev / Phillips
Newest serious contender, very energetic version with great sound

Mackerras / Telarc
This probably best sound of any tremendous dynamic range and lush soundscape, also includes great version "capriccio espagnol"

Beecham / EMI GROTC
Remaster of classic account reveals new insights, magical account

Kondrashin / Phillips 50 Great Recordings
Another remaster of classic account making it even better

Reiner / RCA Living Stereo
Another very good version close to the best.

If I were to narrow my own list of 5 down to one must have account it would be difficult since they each have thier own strong points, but my choice is:

*** Beecham / EMI (Great Recorings of the Century) ***

Beecham is a master of painting tonal colors best at capturing the magic and mystery of this enchanting tale, there is a hint of jasmine in the air as you are carried away by tale of "1001 Nights" The storm/shipwreck sequence has impressive power and savage fury which is hard to match.

The only slight negative is this is 1958 recording and the orchestral climaxes are a bit strained/ragged, better now with new ART remaster but noticeable compared to modern recording. There is also excellent version of Borodin's "polovtsian dances" included but again same issues with sound quality. This is minor point and doesn't keep me from playing this set again and again.

By comparison the Mackerras/Telarc has fabulous lush modern Telarc sound that is quite impressive demonstration class, but does not capture the magic mood as effectively as Beecham.

Just recently saw this glowing review for 1964 Stokowski/Cala version, worth reading:
http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2004/Feb04/Rimsky_Sheherezade.htm