Audiophiles with an ear for historical recordings may wish to investigate this 1956 Scheherazade, Vanguard"s virgin outing into the brave new world of stereo. The sonics more than hold their own, notwithstanding a spotmiked violin soloist and more stereo separation than is customary today. There"s no pretending that Mario Rossi matches Fritz Reiner"s muscle, Leopold Stokowski"s langour, Sir Thomas Beecham"s imagination, Pierre Monteux"s lightness, Eugene Ormandy"s lushness, or Herbert von Karajan"s opulence. But a lean, straightforward Scheherazade is always welcome, notwithstanding this disc"s short playing time. --Jed Distler