Respighi: Pines of Rome; Fountains of Rome / Debussy: La Mer

Whichever other Respighi tone poem recordings you ultimately purchase, you MUST own this one. Since the early ‘60s it has been the standard by which all others have been judged, and in terms of both sound and performance, it has never really been surpassed. The final march of Pines is simply incredible: thundering bass drum, crashing cymbals and gongs, bellowing brass--nobody since has brought the whole thing off with the same combination of excitement and discipline. The performance of La Mer has similar virtues. Fritz Reiner was a podium tyrant, but a tremendous musician all the same. This may be his finest recording. --David Hurwitz