On the 50th anniversary of their first release, Hit Parade Records, the imported audiophile-quality reissue label, is pleased to present two complete stereo albums on one CD performed by The Fantastic Strings of Felix Slatkin, one of Hollywood's most brilliant conductors in the Golden Era of 50s and 60s film music.

These two stereo spectacular albums performed by a full symphony orchestra with an early rock & roll rhythm section (note: this is not Mantovani!) were recorded by Liberty Records to please the most exacting requirements of the discriminating music lover and audiophile. Mr. Slatkin chose 24 of the greatest melodies of the era, almost all from films or television shows, that still stand today as icons of the instrumental genre.

Felix Slatkin's conducting career included his founding of the Concert Arts Orchestra and appearances with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra. He was Frank Sinatra's concertmaster and conductor of choice during his early years with Capitol Records in the 1950s. He made over 25 recordings with these orchestras, including a recording of Offenbach's Gaîté Parisienne which won a Grammy Award in 1958. He also made over a dozen recordings for Liberty Records establishing "The Fantastic Strings, Fantastic Fiddles, Fantastic Percussion, and Fantastic Brass of Felix Slatkin."

If you enjoy this style of symphonic popular music, so rare today, you'll find this CD an important addition to your collection. Needless to say this music is not available for download as that would impair its superior technical quality. Only 2000 copies are being pressed and when they're gone this CD may well become a collector's item. Complete liner notes by Greg Adams including a recent interview with the conductor's son.

Track List

1. Bonanza
2. Golden Earrings
3. Spellbound
4. Terry's Theme from Limelight
5. Theme From A Summer Place
6. Peter Gunn
7. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
8. Three Coins in the Fountain
9. Mr. Lucky
10. Gigi
11. Green Leaves of Summer
12. Around the World
13. Unchained Melody
14. The Magnificent VII
15. My Own True Love (Tara's Theme)
16. Last Date
17. Where Is Your Heart (Song from Moulin Rouge)
18. Theme from the Sundowners
19. Laura
20. Never on Sunday
21. Exodus
22. Night Theme
23. Smile
24. It's Not Forever