Respighi: Ancient Dances & Airs for Lute

If you're ever looking for really nice, pre-recorded wedding music, then you should try this record. The very first couple of minutes of the first track make perfect processional music in an average-sized church. The piece is appealingly arranged for chamber orchestra from Renaissance lute music, and it appears to swell in volume like an approaching parade. The result has just the right combination of joy and solemnity. Anyway, this first recording of the complete suites of dances is still by and large the best. It was another triumph for Dorati and his enterprising colleagues at Mercury Living Presence. Even if you don't have a wedding to go to, it's worth hearing. --David Hurwitz