[.ca] Fantasia 2000 An Original Wal

From Amazon.com:
Without the gorgeous visuals, the soundtrack to Fantasia/2000 is nothing more than a collection of some of classical music's greatest moments. But what moments they are! Conductor James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra provide new (though hardly groundbreaking) arrangements for these classical music warhorses. Piano virtuoso Yefim Bronfman joins in to record the Allegro section of Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 (if you like this track, check out Bronfman playing the entire piece on his 1999 disc with the Los Angeles Philharmonic), and soprano Kathleen Battle lends a high note to the climax of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance. We also get the classic Sorcerer's Apprentice from the original (and now out-of-print) Fantasia soundtrack. Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra, the Paul Dukas composition still steals the show. The original movie may have been a flop, but with any luck Fantasia/2000 will turn some young minds on to classical music, especially with such inspired choices as Respighi's Pines of Rome. Like what you hear? Remember, these are just excerpts and you really owe it to yourself to hear the works in their entirety--slow movements and all. That said, whether you're a Disney fan, an IMAX aficionado, or just a classical-lover-to-be, you can't go wrong with this disc. --Jason Verlinde

good choice!:
Don't be fooled by the Disney association. The Chicago Symphony does a truley amazing job in playing and interpreting some of the greatest works ever written. It's a nice introduction to the songs, but you should definitly check out the full-length versions as well. I know there is no 'perfect' in music. But the Chicago Symphony comes damn close. You wont regret buying this cd.

Great soundtrack for a very good film.:
Being a fan of the original Fantasia, I like the sequel very much as well. The segments in between the animation are fairly awful, but the animation is superb. The music recorded was conducted perfectly, despite it being edited for time. The versions of Rhapsody In Blue, Carnival of the Animals Finale, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier are great, probably the best recordings on CD. The Sorceror's Apprentice is NOT a re-recording. A wise move on Disney's part to keep the original recording. I reccomend this mainly to fans of the film...those who are fans of the composers might want to buy complete versions of these works on other labels.

Excellent CD For a Great Movie:
This CD is great. That's pretty much I can say. After seeing the movie, when you listen to it you can visualize the workers in "Raphsody in Blue" and the playful Flamingos in "Carnaval of Animals". If you like the movie, buy this CD.

Another fantastic Disney soundtrack:
I must admit that I prefer the original Fantasia's soundtrack, although Fantasia 2000 certainly has its share of highlights. I wasn't overly impressed with the sharply abridged version Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, and the Firebird Suite struck me as somewhat dull and uninspired, even in the movie version. As for Pomp & Circumstance, that always makes me think of the bad renditions at high school graduations; fortunately this version is quite innovative and good. Overall, whether or not I loved each song, I enjoyed each, since the level of playing is very high and the quality of sound excellent. Like the first Fantasia, this is a great introduction to Classical music for people of all ages. (People who very much enjoy any particular selection should consider procuring full-length versions.) This is a great anthology and worth many a listen for Disney and classical music fans alike.

All Fans of All Things...:
If you are a Disney fan or a music fan (of any type), if you are a kid or an adult, you will love this CD... My 2 year old and my 6 month old love it, my wife and I love it, my parents love it...

• Symphony No. 5
• Pines of Rome
• Rhapsody in Blue - The Philharmonia Orchestra
• Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 102, first movement
• Carnival of the Animals (Le Carnaval des Animauz), Finale
• Sorcerer's Apprentice - The Philharmonia Orchestra
• Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1-4
• Firebird Suite - 1919 Version