Track Listing

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37705 in Music
• Released on: 1999-11-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack

Customer Reviews

A Worthy Successor to the original Fantasia Soundtrack
This new recording of the Soundtrack to Fantasia 2000 is an impressive effort. Both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmoinia Orchestra, under James Levine perform these works, most of which are arrainged for the orchestras by Bruce Coughlin. I think that he attepted and succeeded in keeping the original Fantasia Spirit in the new pieces. I must say that hearing Kathleen Battle singing in the Elgar Pomp and Circumstance section is a treat! The Firebird Suite section will test your stereo system to its utmost! The liner notes are not as well done for Fantasia 2000 as they were for Fantasia, but then Deems Taylor did the liner notes for Fantasia, and there is no one to match him in this endevor. I can only hope that this will be the first of many Fantasia sequels to come. Like many I am curious to see the movie when it comes out, and I will be curious to hear the DVD-Audio version of the soundtrack when it comes out in July of 2000. I also feel that the Philharmonia Orchestra should have had equal billing with the CSO on the cover. I recently found out that the Disney folks
decided not to issue the soundtrack on the DVD-Audio format.
A pity.

How does one surpass perfection? Here's how.
The original Fantasia was a work of pure genius, and without a doubt, the one thing Walt Disney could be proud of beyond all else. Fantasia 2000 not only lives up to his spirit, but surpasses it as well. At first I was a bit skeptical when I learned that they would be ditching the entire program from the original. (Save "The Sorceror's Apprentice" as it is heresy to kill the mouse!) But the folks at Disney have done a marvelous job selecting the new pieces. Not only do they compliment all that has come before them, but they dare to go in new directions. After all, can you think of anything more progressive than a Gershwin piece in Fantasia? I am looking forward to the movie, hoping and expecting the animation to do the music justice. But the CD, in the meanwhile, will have to suffice. And it does. For the one truly remarkable thing about the original Fantasia was not just the classical music, but the classical music being so well played. And Fantasia 2000 keeps up the tradition of a fine performance by the orchestra. Definitely for fans of classical music, and anyone who likes a good tune, in general.

A wonderful collection of celebrated classical pieces.
This CD is not only for the fan of Fantasia but for any classical music lover as well. On one CD comes a wide range of classical music, from Beethoven's 5th to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Everything is wonderful about the CD- the recording, the selections, the pictures from the movie that dance around your head while listening. The Pines of Rome will always be one of the greatest symphonies, it's even better on this CD. I was paticularly happy with the Shostakovich selection, he is one of my favorite composers. Anyone of any age will love this CD, I'm 14 and listen to it all the time. It might be a great way to introduce classical music to the kids. I can't say much more besides buy this CD, you won't be disappointed, and if you live by an IMAX theater be sure to check the movie out!