These are the extraordinary tone poems for which Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) is known. Whatever else he has written, it all pales against these guys. Respighi's music embraced a kind of neo- romanticism that has hints of French Impressionism. He creates pictures as well as moods. Hard to do. This particular recording by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra is a rerelease of two practically ancient vinyl discs of the early sixties. No one beats the Philadelpia Orchestra for sound, especially in the Pines of Rome or the glittering cascades of the Roman Festivals. At mid-price, this disc is virtually a steal. --Paul Cook (Amazon.com)

Raff, Joachim (1822-1882) Symphony No. 4 in G minor, Op. 167 and Symphony No. 11 in A minor, Op. 214, "Der Winter", performed by Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice/ Urs Schneider (Conductor)

A very interesting late romantic symphony, based it on the legend of Il'ya Muromets, the subject of ancient Russian epic. Mostly tonal, very descriptive and dramatic.

Sergei Prokofiev: Violin Concertos 1 & 2 (featuring Joshua Bell) and Love of Three Oranges Suite; by the Montréal Symphony Orchestra;
Conductor: Charles Dutoit from 1992.

Due to many requests, I have decided to fresh rip these classic recordings by Wilhelm Furtwangler and the Berlin Philharmonic, recorded "live" between 1949-1952.

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures takes the fun and creative construction of LEGO and combines it with the wits, daring and non-stop action from the original cinematic adventures that enthralled audiences everywhere (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). With a unique tongue-in-cheek take on the original adventures, LEGO Indiana Jones follows Dr. Jones escapades through the jungles of South America to the mountaintops of India. Fans can build, battle and brawl their way through their favorite cinematic moments, from Indy’s entanglements with snakes to his dashing boulder run.

LEGO Star Wars blends the unique world of LEGO with the adventure of Star Wars, for unforgettable action and fun. Live the most popular moments from The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Episodes I to III come to life -- and you can become a part of the story! Will you succumb to the dark side of the force or will you become a strong Jedi knight? Find your destiny.

Gustave Mahler (1860-1911) Das Lied Von Der Erde (The Song of the Earth), featuring Maureen Forrester (contralto) and Richard Lewis (tenor), the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner. Recorded in 1959. ADD Stereo.

Jean-Pierre Rampal performs his own flute transcriptions of Vivaldi's Four Seasons (originally for violin), accompanied by Janos Rolla and Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra.

Wilhelm Kempff Plays Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 8, 23, 24 and 27, with Ferdinand Leitner conducting the Berlin Philharmonic (8 and 27) and Bamberg Symphony (23 and 24).

Two monumental works that use Shostakovich's DSCH motif to great effect. The 10th Symphony, and the Chamber Symphony, which is a string orchestra arrangement done by Rudolf Barshai of Shostakovich's famous Eighth Quartet.

Very nice album of Tchaikovsky's original cello compositions and arrangements for cello, performed by Ofra Harnoy (cello), and the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Mackerras, featuring the Rococo Variations, the Andante Cantabile and "Autumn Song". (Fresh Re-up)

The highlight of the CD is Gabriel Faure's beautiful Requiem, for 2 solo voices, chorus, organ & orchestra, Op. 48, featuring Gilles Cachemaille and Catherine Bott, The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner. Also includes Debussy's Trois chansons de Charles d'Orléans and Saint-Saëns' Calme des nuits.

Josef Metternich (baritone) is the Dutchman in this historic recording from 1952, with Ferenc Fricsay conducting Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. Also featuring Annelies Kupper, Josef Greindl, Wolfgang Windgassen, Ernst Haefliger, and Sieglinde Wagner.

Fantastic "old school" performances of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring Emil Gilels, Zubin Metha and the NY Philharmonic (recorded LIVE from 1961), and the Violin Concerto featuring David Oistrakh, Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra (studio recording).