A brief follow up. I bought the MLP version and the string tone is wonderful. I, however, vote for the Jesus Lopez-Cobos interpretation as I find it much more flowing and melodical. Dorati has the orchestra playing a bit too deliberate for my taste.
Again, if anyone is thinking of a classical music "taste test," this is a great choice. Respighi has arranged a group of tunes that were originally folk melodies and which had remained popular for generations. You will hear something familiar!
If you can listen to Suite 1 "Suite No. 1 Passo Mezzo E Mascherada" and not get caught up in the melody, you are wasting oxygen for those of us who still live. Check it out on a site like CDNow.
Thanks again to all who contributed here.
Charlie