Customer Reviews

Beautiful Dreamer

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The story of how Robin Spielberg's newest release, "Beautiful Dreamer", came to be is incredible. I remember two years ago when Robin emailed me with the joyous news that she was pregnant with twins. She had recently returned home from a concert tour that included playing in Walnut Creek, CA, and an unforgettable workshop with my piano students the following day. She was so excited about becoming a mother, and wrote me frequent updates about how she was doing and feeling. After a few months, I didn't hear from her for an unusually long time. I was concerned, but with the twins coming and a new album ("Mother" with singers Susan McKeown and Cathie Ryan), I didn't think too much about it until she called one morning in tears with the horrible news that she had lost one of the girls in utero, and the surviving twin was only a pound and very fragile. My heart broke for Robin and her husband, Larry. Hope and prayers were all any of us could offer, but after a grueling four months in the hospital, in and out of danger, Valerie got stronger and healthier, and was able to go home. She was so tiny that Robin was able to slide her wedding band up her baby's leg. Because Valerie had been hearing Robin's music since conception, Robin had recordings of her music continuously playing while Valerie remained in the hospital. Her vital signs improved, and so did those of the other babies in the unit. Now a healthy and happy little girl, Robin wanted to give her a very special gift of a recording of lullabies made especially for her.

On the CD cover, it says that "Beautiful Dreamer" is "solo piano lullabies for parent and child", but this very beautiful collection can soothe and relax anyone. The fourteen songs are pieces that Robin learned as a child and that mean a lot to her, so the stylings are very warm and personal. Robin's elegant playing is laced with love in every note. Although I'm not a mom or an insomniac, I love this album! The selection of songs is wonderful. Not surprisingly, "Brahms' Lullaby" is included along with the title track, "Puff, the Magic Dragon", "Edelweiss", and "Lavender Blue". More of a surprise is "The Inch Worm" - a haunting and wistful song from the film "Hans Christian Anderson". "The Water is Wide" touches the soul with it's simple but heartfelt melody. "You Are So Beautiful" was a surprise, but it fits in perfectly and glows with a mother's love. Robin also included a piece composed in Valerie's honor, and it bears her name. Robin is one of my very favorite composers as well as pianists, and this gentle piece epitomizes Robin's composing and playing style. I hope one day Valerie will appreciate the wonder of this gift! Robin also assembled a montage of children's songs and nursery rhymes that makes me smile each time I hear it. This is a wonderful album, and I highly recommend it!

My six month old son has a difficult time winding down at the end of the day. When he gets fussy I turn on this CD and he immediately calms down. It's really quite remarkable. At first I thought his response to the music was a fluke, but it has been a wonderfully calming influence on him for several weeks now. The music soothes him more than any singing, humming, holding, waltzing, or patting that I have tried. I am able to relax too. I especially enjoy Beautiful Dreamer, Lavender Blue, and You are so Beautiful. I wish that I had had this CD when my son was even younger--who knows, it may have helped to calm him during his colicky periods too!

this is the best bedtime cd out there. my son who has autism is enchanted by the music . all i have to say is "time for sleepy music" and he gets into bed and is able to relaxd to this music. i highly recommend it.

This CD soothed and helped put my baby to sleep every time. I have purchased it for every new mom I know. A definite must for new babies!

Love It...Love It!!!! Relaxing for baby and mom both. I received this as a gift and it is now at the top of my list of baby gifts to give!!!

I purchased this CD with the intention of using it in my pregnancy massage practice...but instead used it for my newborn son and now he listens every evening at bedtime. I LOVE THIS CD!! - Robin Speilberg plays these pieces with much love and feeling that it will evoke many happy memories and music of your childhood. I purchased a few of cds for friends and family who were expecting. It is a perfect addition to their music collection...another suggestion is Mozart for the Mother-To-Be - a wonderful congratulatory gift for the new mom - something she can use with the newborn too.

"Pianist and new-age composer Robin Spielberg gave birth to her daughter, Valerie, in the 23rd week of her pregnancy. During the preemie's long recovery from heart surgery, Robin played her the soothing music of her own CDs. The intensive care staff noted that Spielberg's music had a positive effect , both on Valerie and on the babies nearby, so when her daughter came home four months later, Robin created an album of lullabies in honor of her arrival. Beautiful Dreamer contains 14 lovely piano solos ranging from Brahms to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".

At the end of the day, whether you are an infant or an adult, soothing music can induce much needed relaxation. Robin Spielberg's lovely instrumental album is just the ticket. This collection of piano solos covering familiar quiet time titles will make you melt into your chair. With emotion and skill, Spielberg breaths life into family favorites with fine arrangements and crystalline production of songs including ‚"The Inch Worm","Lavender Blue" , "The Water is Wide", and "You are so Beautiful" This album will find a happy home in the nursery or in the den after the kids have gone to sleep.

Remember the beautiful lullabies of childhood? In Beautiful Dreamer, Robin Spielberg offers 14 'solo piano lullabies for the Parent and Child'. A new mother herself, Robin brings a special warmth and tenderness into each lullaby as she explores that intimate connection of the heart that exists between mother and child. Here is the perfect gift for any new paent as well as sweet dreams for your own Beautiful Dreamer. Nostalgic, comforting, and very highly reommended.