I'm still going to get Holst Planets by Mehta, based on JohnK's advice, but was thinking Also Sprach Zarathustra From 2001-A Space Odyssey, would be awesome to hear cranked up on my Axioms. I came across this at Tower Records, might be a good demo CD, anybody tried yet?

http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=3274883&title=Movie+Classics+%2f+Various+Artists

I wonder how the quality is.

Randy, I'm not familiar with that particular disc and in fact have never heard of the label. A check at the more complete description on Amazon indicates that some of the performing groups aren't top rank. A "movie classics" type disc that I'm familiar with and might be a better buy is this one .

For more than the one minute or so of the beginning of Also Sprach Zarathustra that was used in 2001, a fine Strauss collection like this is recomended.

One thing is sure, that movie classics cd is a lot cheaper than the one I was looking at, probably since mine was a special order cd... I was just more familiar with those movies... thanks again.

I have found the Eloquence CDs quite good for $7.99.

I bought this recently and enjoy it a lot.

Strauss

and $12.99 for a hybrid sacd is a steal.

Ditto.

John, just wanted to let you know I just ordered the following from TowerRecords.

Eloquence - Holst: The Planets / Mehta, LA Philharmonic
Rachmaninov: The Symphonies, etc / Ashkenazy, Concertgebouw

I have become a big fan of Rachmaninoff's work. Piano Concerto no. 2 and Variations on a theme of Paganini seem to be his most famous works.

I also find the Planets very enjoyable. I can reccomend the London release with Dutoit conducting the Montreal Symphony, great recording.

Good buy, Randy. For about $25 you're getting four terrific CDs. As you know, I constantly suggest the Planets CD for someone wanting to start or expand their classical collection, and Rachmaninoff is probably my favorite composer. In addition to Ashkenazy's set which includes nearly all of his orchestral works I also have the excellent set of complete symphonies with Ormandy and sets with Previn and DeWaart.

David, I have six Planets(just the CDs, not the planets themselves), including Dutoit, which is probably my second favorite, closely behind Mehta.

Thanks John, I'm excited to listen to "The Planets" CD and your favorite Russian Rachmaninoff.

I had a little suprise tonight after my wife got home from Walmart. She noticed the other night that I was talking to you folks about classical music. While she was at Wally World, she picked up a 250th Anniversary 8CD pack for Mozart. I know he is not your favorite John, but for $10 you can't beat it...

Disc 1 Chamber Music
Disc 2 Music for Piano Solo
Disc 3 Opera
Disc 4 Piano Concerti
Disc 5 Sacred Music
Disc 6 Serenades & Divertimenti
Disc 7 Wind and String Concerti
Disc 8 Symphonies

Randy, it isn't that I don't appreciate Mozart, but I'm frankly a little bitter that after I got this and played it continuously for 12 hours, that I didn't notice any difference.

Quote:

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frankly a little bitter that after I got this and played it continuously for 12 hours, that I didn't notice any difference.

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Maybe they should a couple crossword puzzles in the cd booklet.

Or math problems, I don't know. . .