Tuesday, December 21, 1999
'Fantasia 2000' soundtrack fantastic achievement
BY JANELLE GELFAND
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati native James Levine works his magic in the soundtrack to Fantasia 2000, the Disney remake of the 1940 animated film opening in some IMAX theaters on Jan. 1.
Mr. Levine leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in what amounts to an album of greatest hits. But his warmth of phrasing and comprehensible musicianship, combined with Chicago's velvety strings and rich brass, make this an album worth having.
Most of the eight selections are abridged for the film, including the first movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Cincinnati-trained soprano Kathleen Battle soars above the Chicago Symphony Chorus in Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches. There are spectacular performances of Respighi's showpiece, The Pines of Rome, and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite.
Two cuts were made with the (London) Philharmonia Orchestra — Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice. While the benchmark may be Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the speed and lightness of Mr. Levine's Sorcerer have an intoxicating effect, and the result is exhilarating.
The movie opens Jan. 1 at Marcus Imax Theatre, Columbus; Louisville Science Center Imax Theater and the Imax Theater in White River State Park, Indianapolis.
Add a local touch to collection with these classical music CDs
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'Fantasia 2000' soundtrack fantastic achievement
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