Customer Reviews

Bach at Bedtime: Lullabies for the Still of the Night

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Incredibly beautiful! that's what everyone says after hearing such album. And it is true! Here is an excellent compilation of famous arias played with solo of oboe, violin,harpsichord.... with chamber orchestra driven by Leppard, Jochum or Marriner to list few of them... Interesting to note the larghetto of the Bach's concerto for oboe d'Armore by Heinz Holliger. This artist is phenomenal and we may appreciate his contribution as an added gift! For people who appreciate the larghetto of this concerto of Bach, i can only recommend the complete CD with the three concerto for Oboe (same artist with the ASMF, an outstanding record with the wellknown masterpiece in D minor BWV 1059). Breathless interpretation, ie the time this artist can play without interruption! He is magic. The Oboe d'Armore has a soft & deep sound which contrasts with the conventionnal instruments. Also the extraits with Grumiaux are magnificent with a violin full of emotion and sensitivity. We can highly recommend this record for people who love beautiful classical music, played with top class artists and for relaxing everyday! By the way this collection by Philips seems quite an achievement for its selection and quality of sound. Look also after the fantastic "Baroque at bathtime" or other albums of the same collection.....for discovering classical music there is nothing better. Then you may investigate and look for complete record of the one you appreciate the most.

This CD is lovely and soothing, and I have to take exception to R. Loam's contention that the entire CD is in the minor key. I can determine from listening to the samples that certainly #1 and #5 are in the major key, and there are probably more. The minor key does not have to invoke meloncholia - it is many times in the eyes of the beholder.

I bought this CD for my daughter when she turned six. It's been a year and she still listens to it a lot. Yes, she also listens to Britney and Christina, but on many nights she will request Bach (aka: that one with no words). It's great to know that they selected soothing, relaxing pieces. It's a wonderful way to broaden my daughter's horizons while also getting her to sleep.

It would probably help to first clear up a potential misconception in the unfortunate subtitle which refers to "lullabies" - a term that brings to mind for most people simplistic, sing-songy music hummed to babies in a crib. Lullabies are wonderful and have their place, but the music on the CD is not this (and Bach would probably have cringed a bit at the thought of his music here being called "lullabies.") What is here is a most wonderful, high-quality collection of Bach's Baroque music that is most condusive to creating a quiet, peaceful mood. The selections here include many famous pieces from Bach played by an impressive, all-star line up of notable musicians. Some listeners might take comfort in knowing that all selections have a similar, gentle tempo and mood without those unwanted changes in loudness from soft to LOUD that can startle one (the baby?) from sleep or quiet contemplation. The sound quality is good for the purpose of this collection - to provide relaxing background music or Rx for insomnia. I listen to this CD often if I wake up at night.

Johan Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a devout German Lutharan who devoted much of his life to composing music for various church functions and events in his position of 'head music master" in his different appointments. As such, we see often in Bach's music a "pastoral" quality - whose effect is to encourage, comfort and renew the spirit. No piece (and title) is more demonstrating of this quality then the opening "Sheep May Safely Graze" which is perhaps the finest recording of this magnificant and comforting piece by the Stuttgart Orchestra who brings a most expressive quality to the music. Its inter-weaving and delicate melodies give rise to serene visions of carefree green pastures and the sense that all is well. So, perhaps in that vein, this music has some commonality to traditional lullabies.

But, even though the music is serene, there is much musically to hear in these tunes - for those still awake. Bach's genius is seen here for setting a lyrical solo instrument (violin, oboe, cello) against a stable, comforting background orchestra pulsing away in Bach fashion. Many of these works are a typical style of Bach music known as "fugues" - which is a type of music where two-three instruments simultaneously play different melodies that all blend together in splendid harmony. This consistent, calming rhythm with gently soaring melodies are part of what makes such music suitable for bedtime. Finally, one who is just nodding off can appreciate that the last two selections are the most peaceful with the fewest notes coming from the solo guitar of Pepe Romero. They end in a whisper which should be right about the time you fall asleep and the CD player quietly clicks off. This is a really wonderful compilation of Bach's music that should be pleasing to both those just looking for some nice, relaxing music - or even to the long-term classical collector who already has 30 CD's of Bach's music but values the variety and soothing qualities of such 'even-temperament' collections.

I bought this CD for myself, a 60 year old. I have trouble sleeping and have been buying CDs by this company. They are all wonderful. I'm asleep in about 15 minutes!

Love this!! Beautiful relaxing classical music. Originally got one of these as a gift and needed another. Don't hesitate to purchase it is truly relaxing.

Great music, soothing, calming and perfect for bedtime quality time.

This is great music to fall asleep with if you like Bach or classical music. Very restful and soothing. I often have trouble sleeping, but this does the trick for me. The entire CD is over an hour long so you have ample time to wind down and drift off into to a peaceful sleep.

I just have o have them all. This is wonderful. Happy addition to my collection.

This classical audio CD arrived in under a week, in good condition and I love it! It has a fairly even tempo for relaxing. I've enjoyed it during dinner, by the fireplace, along with the sound of rain falling outside...