I just received a "review copy" of a recent release from Naxos.  Most of
us have seen the bins of classical sections in CD shops and how they are
filling with a plethora of "targeted" markets.  Maybe you would call it
"dumbing down" but I am for anything that might attract a larger audience.
Anyway, here's the catch.  The Naxos CDs are being given FREE to the
parents of every child born in the state of Tennessee for the year of 1999.
Maybe this has already been mentioned on this forum, but I don't recall
reading about it.  The music (65 minutes worth) is typical "classical"
fare:  Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, etc.  It is all well played and recorded.
It is free!!!  I hope the other companies take note of this (ar..ar..ar).
It would be to their benefit to sew any seeds that they can.  I am
impressed by this Naxos effort.  The "majors" should be ashamed of seeking
an immediate profit from the emotional needs of expecting parents.  I am
giving my copy to a close friend who is 49.  His wife is to give birth to
their first child together.

Peace,
bob stumpf
http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/maestrno/