Isao Tomita - Planets (Ultimate Edition) (2011) SACD

If you know Isao Tomita's original recordings, you know his uncompromising visions of the same forward momentum in artistic interpretations, as the original audiences experienced with the debuts of the original versions of the composers works. With this album, the Mussorgsky reimaginings and particularly the elevation of Debussy's genius into the heavens, you will have the foundations of the most thrilling revisioning of some of the masters of classical, orchestral, serious music, interpreted by this new medium Tomita was reviled/renowned for.

Yeah, this is all flowery bee-ess and all, but, should you get this? Is it worth the investment? I mean heck, is this even the original recording?

It's honestly better. A sonic delight that truly benefits from SACD standards. One dimension further in 5.1 than the original quad mixes. The same startling departure from Walter/Wendy Carlos-style faithfulness. The rediscovery of how much further an intelligent, empathetic arrangement can take a well-known (well-WORN) classical piece if the listener is willing to understand, this isn't blasphemy...no, the original was blasphemy, and we owe it no less than that same bold attitude. And thank Isao Tomita for caring enough to give you one more glimpse into the possiblity that classical music still holds, on his way out of the world of the living.