Fantasia 2000: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Paul [Composer] Dukas (Composer), Edward Elgar (Composer), George Gershwin (Composer), Ottorino Respighi (Composer), Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer), Igor Stravinsky (Composer), James Levine (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Gail Niwa (Performer), Philip Sabransky (Performer), Yefim Bronfman (Performer), Shawn Murphy (Performer), Kathleen Battle (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Gail Niwa, Philip Sabransky, Yefim Bronfman, Shawn Murphy, Kathleen Battle
• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: James Levine
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul [Composer] Dukas, Edward Elgar, George Gershwin, Ottorino Respighi, et al.
• Audio CD (November 30, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• ASIN: B000038ICW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,820 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Successor to the original Fantasia Soundtrack, December 2, 1999

By	A. Craig (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How does one surpass perfection? Here's how., November 30, 1999

By	Anthony J. Falcone (Little Ferry, NJ) - See all my reviews

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.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful collection of celebrated classical pieces., February 25, 2000

By	Casey (Mission Viejo, CA) - See all my reviews

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!