The Cuddling CD
Written: Jan 13 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Soft melodic songs, which enhance cuddling and sleep
Cons: If you don't like classical music you won't like this CD.
The Bottom Line: A wonderfully melodic compilation of classical piano pieces to help you either romance your sweetheart or to help you fall asleep.
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| klueger's Full Review: Dreams of Love - The Ultimate Romantic Piano Album |
For Christmas my wonderful wife gave me a few new CD’s one of which is Dreams of Love the Ultimate Romantic Piano Album This CD has offerings from six different pianists which I will discuss a little later. I offer the description straight off the jacket to help describe this CD. Dreams Of Love is your invitation to curl up with a quiet, reflective album of gorgeous love music. Whether you choose to play it as you unwind at the end of your day, as background music for a romantic cocktail hour or as an accompaniment for an intimate tryst with your beloved, you’ll find Dreams Of Love a beautiful (and inspiring) aphrodisiac.
Now I am not quite sure I would call it an aphrodisiac, but I will say that the melodic piano tunes definitely can help you unwind and fall asleep. I must say a couple times that I’ve played this CD my wife and I have been in bed holding each other in our arms, which for me is one of the best times of any day. Having my wife in my arms brings great joy to me and probably also aids in the relaxation department.
As I said most of this CD is classical music performed by different Pianists I will list the pianists and briefly discuss their contribution to this soothing piece of art. First we have Jorge Bolet who is a Liszt specialist and plays one offering. Liszt: liebestraum NO. 3 (4:50) Now this is a beautiful and moving piece which to be honest with you I have never heard before. I enjoy classical music however I am far from an enthusiast and therefore cannot comment on the movements and all the other terms related to classical music. What I can tell you are how the songs make me feel in a lay mans terms. This particular piece was very melodic and it had parts in it that reminded me of the song I write the songs. It is definitely a good piece to start this strictly piano music CD off.
The next musician to offer us some tunes is Pascal Roge. He plays five French miniatures written by Claude Debussy. Now I will probably really tick all you classical and knowledgeable music fans off out there, but I have no idea who Claude Debussy is but I must say his music quiets my spirit and puts me in the mood to cuddle. The five offerings are
1.Debussy: Clair De Lune (from Suite Bergamasque) (5:32),
2. Debussy: Reverie (4:54),
3. Satie: Gymnopedie No. 1 (3:08),
4.Debussy: Arabesque No.1
(3:51), and lastly
5. Debussy: The Maid With The Flaxen Hair (From Preludes) (2:27).
These songs made me dream of life with no hardships or pain. I was able to be with my honey and have no interruptions or pressures of every day life to interfere with my enjoying being with my wife. I like that and sure need that every once in awhile. For those of you with children I am sure you know a few moments with your sweetheart are welcome.
Our next artist is Jean-Yves Thibaudet who happens to be the youngest of the musicians to perform for the recording of this CD. He offers Ravel: Pavane For A Dead Princess(6:10). Ravel composed this song and at the time of composition this was used as a dance tune. I guess you could do the minuet to it for those who are familiar with that dance. I am not. Of course, as my wife will tell you I am not familiar with dancing period. Something, I need to work on maybe some of you can tell me how to acquire my right foot. Sorry for the tangent this song is moving and I guess I could see how it could be used for a dance, I enjoyed just listening to it though.
Our next artist is Radu Lupu who brings Schumann: Traumere: (From Scenes form Childhood) (2:28) to life. I actually know who Schumann is and have enjoyed listening to his music since I studied it in Music 100 many years ago. I have found his music able to put me to sleep very easily. At times that is what I want music to do.
Onto the next piano artist Alicia De Larrocha who is a famous Spanish Pianist. She performs Grieg: Nocturne, OP.54 No. 4 (From Lyric Pieces) (4:06) I felt this was a beautiful little melody which actually put me in the mood for love. Now I have never heard this before or heard of the composer Grieg so I don’t know if it is strictly the interpretation of Larrocha or the composer’s song. However, as I said this piece was probably the one that stirred the most emotion in me.
The final artist and the pianist that contributed the most to the CD is Vladimir Ashkenazy. According to the CD jacket he is known as a Chopin specialist and offers us six of his pieces. I have heard of Chopin, but must admit have not listened too much of his works. I have always been mostly a Mozart and Brahms fan. However, after listening to this CD I think I may have to find some other artists renditions of Chopin’s’ work. The songs that Ashkenazy also offers 3 Beethoven pieces. The Chopin pieces are:
1.Chopin Etude No.3 in E, OP. 10 (“Tristesse”) (4:21),
2.Chopin: Nocturne In F-Sharp, OP. 15, NO. 2 (3:48),
3. Chopin: Nocturne in E-Flat, Op. 9, No. 2 (4:01),
4. Chopin: Prelude in D-Flat, OP. 28, No. 15 (5:16),
5. Chopin: Berceuse(5:00),
6. Chopin: waltz NO.2 in C-Sharp Minor, OP. 64(3:26)
The Beethoven pieces that Vladimir gives us the pleasure of listening to are:
1 Beethoven: Fur Elise (2:52) hey I’ve heard of him, but never heard this piece before. It is slower paced than most of the Beethoven music I’ve heard. Again, I haven’t listened to all his work so it may be typical for his work.
2. Beethoven: ”Pathetique” Sonata – Adagio Cantabile (4:58),
3. Beethoven: “Moonlight” Sonata – Adagio Sostenuto (6:07). I actually know this last piece; again I remember it from the music appreciation course. I really amaze myself sometimes because it was a while ago I studied this, I feel Vladimir’s interpretation is superb it made me dream of a quiet wooded place by a lake where I could sit and hold my wife’s hand enjoying the quiet between us. This was the final piece on the CD and a most wonderful way to end it.
Notes
London records recorded this compilation in 1999. London records has a series of albums they call their Ultimate music series some of the other CD’s in this series are The Ultimate Wedding Album, George Gershwin: The Ultimate Collection and The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection The concept and compilation for the CD was done by R. Peter Munves who I feel did a superb job of gathering some wonderful piano pieces to help us settle our souls and put us in a peaceful state. PolyGram Records Inc manufactured the CD in the USA.
I feel if you are looking for a CD that will help aid your sleep and also can be enjoyed while cuddling your honey this is the perfect CD. It will probably also be enjoyed if you are a classical piano music fan.
Thanks for reading my review and I hope you have found it informative and helpful.
Klueger
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Romancing
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klueger
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Location: Somewhere east of the missippi
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Trying to serve God and not my earthly desires. Know that I love you all
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