Behold the greatest classical lp cover of all time.
6 Replies to “Zap!”
That is a great cover.
I am wondering if that picture, or maybe just that pose was used somewhere else? I feel like I’ve seen it before, but not with those 2. Were they the models for some painting from a movie poster, like Logan’s Run or something (it’s not LR, I looked)? It’s agitating my brain cells a little bit. Am I crazy, or what?
Those were my thoughts exactly. Looks like it’s from a poster for a cheesy sci-fi movie, but if so I can’t place it. Whoever staged the photo went to some trouble to make the girl look like Ursula Andress; that along with the ridiculous costumes give it a real B-movie vibe. Westminster was a budget label that released shitty pressings of recordings that were often very good (many were re-released during the CD era in good remasterings that surprised people). I would guess Westminster, as a budget label, licensed the picture from elsewhere rather than pay for a photographer, models and a clearly gifted and demented costume designer.
The cover was part of a trend in low-cost classical releases: put a scantily clad girl on the cover to attract the young male buyer on a budget. An outstanding American critic (the recently retired Jim Svejda) wrote that as a teenager he owned multiple releases of Scheherazade for that reason alone (Playboys were hard for minors to get in the 60’s). He began noticing the differences between the performances, which led to his career as a well-known classical DJ and critic.
I love the idea that the Venn diagram of classical music enthusiast vs horny teens includes enough members to justify the release.
Do you recommend this suite for the average ignorant bastard? I confess I’m intrigued by “Jupiter the Bringer of Jollity” and definitely excited by “Uranus the Magician.” The symbol for Uranus looks like the Starship Enterprise. Cool.
Yes, I’d recommend it. The Planets has been a gateway drug to symphonic music for many people. A big, loud, orchestral showpiece with great tunes throughout. Orchestras tend to sell more tickets when they play it (or so it seems by the sizes of the audiences whenever I’ve gone). It was a huge influence on John Williams when he wrote the Star Wars score. There are lot of good recordings and a lot of dull ones. Some conductors tend to be fussy micromanagers, which ruins a piece like The Planets. The great recordings are where the conductors get out of the way and let it rip. I recommend the Montreal Symphony with Charles Dutoit. Should be on all the streaming platforms.
That is a great cover.
I am wondering if that picture, or maybe just that pose was used somewhere else? I feel like I’ve seen it before, but not with those 2. Were they the models for some painting from a movie poster, like Logan’s Run or something (it’s not LR, I looked)? It’s agitating my brain cells a little bit. Am I crazy, or what?
Those were my thoughts exactly. Looks like it’s from a poster for a cheesy sci-fi movie, but if so I can’t place it. Whoever staged the photo went to some trouble to make the girl look like Ursula Andress; that along with the ridiculous costumes give it a real B-movie vibe. Westminster was a budget label that released shitty pressings of recordings that were often very good (many were re-released during the CD era in good remasterings that surprised people). I would guess Westminster, as a budget label, licensed the picture from elsewhere rather than pay for a photographer, models and a clearly gifted and demented costume designer.
The cover was part of a trend in low-cost classical releases: put a scantily clad girl on the cover to attract the young male buyer on a budget. An outstanding American critic (the recently retired Jim Svejda) wrote that as a teenager he owned multiple releases of Scheherazade for that reason alone (Playboys were hard for minors to get in the 60’s). He began noticing the differences between the performances, which led to his career as a well-known classical DJ and critic.
I love the idea that the Venn diagram of classical music enthusiast vs horny teens includes enough members to justify the release.
Do you recommend this suite for the average ignorant bastard? I confess I’m intrigued by “Jupiter the Bringer of Jollity” and definitely excited by “Uranus the Magician.” The symbol for Uranus looks like the Starship Enterprise. Cool.
Yes, I’d recommend it. The Planets has been a gateway drug to symphonic music for many people. A big, loud, orchestral showpiece with great tunes throughout. Orchestras tend to sell more tickets when they play it (or so it seems by the sizes of the audiences whenever I’ve gone). It was a huge influence on John Williams when he wrote the Star Wars score. There are lot of good recordings and a lot of dull ones. Some conductors tend to be fussy micromanagers, which ruins a piece like The Planets. The great recordings are where the conductors get out of the way and let it rip. I recommend the Montreal Symphony with Charles Dutoit. Should be on all the streaming platforms.
Yeah, she looks like Ursula Andress, and he looks like McDreamy.
Good call.