Customer Reviews

Beethoven for Book Lovers: An Intimate Companion for Reading

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If you know anything about the composer Beethoven, what often comes to mind is music that is highly dramatic and often loud, whether it be his hard-driving piano music banging on the keyboard or a full-blown orchestra (like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony with its famous, ominous opening, "dunt-dunt-dunt-da.") The point is that typically most of Beethoven's music demands to be heard, contemplated and emotionally processed.

But this is not the case for the Beethoven music on this CD. There was another side of this fiery composer - one that revealed a tender-hearted composer capable of very calm, lovely and song-like instrumental music. And it is this side of Beethoven that is captured in the nine very serene and lyrical selections on this CD. What is great about this compliation of Beethoven music is that many of Beethoven's most sentimental and beautiful slower movements have been "cherry picked" and grouped into one CD that is much more condusive for leisurely listening (no loud banging on the piano or surges from the huge symphony). The music is pure Beethoven talent, but these selections do not demand to be heard and serve well to create a wonderful backdrop for relaxing, reading or late-night entertaining. Sometimes the music is so calm in one or two movements it seems to lack forward movement but - given its purpose for background music - this should not be objectionable. Of all the "Set Your Life to Music" series, this one and the "Baroque for Bath" are the best to fall asleep or wake up to.

The music on this CD features mostly piano and violin duets (termed violin sonatas) along with two inspiring string quartet selections and one famous piano/violin/cello song. By the way, this kind of music with a small number of instruments is called "chamber music." The violin/piano selections are very well chosen from the legendary recordings of violinist David Oistrakh and partner Orbinin - musicians known for their more relaxed playing of Beethoven and beautiful tone - all of which is perfect for such a "book reading" CD. All the music is touching and beautiful - with only a couple of those typical loud Beethoven "surprizes" amist the quiet bliss - although there are some brief shifts to minor-key anguished tones that might be slightly disrupting to some. But such is Beethoven and the Romantic era.

Perhaps the highlight of the CD is one of the very last string quartets Beethoven wrote before his death - years into his total deafness and ill health (track 4). In this slow and sublime movement can be heard the most personal and spiritual aspects of this great composer. It is played by one of the great string quartets (Quartetto Italiano) with a deeply touching sentimentality. Listening to it, you can sense a man who has suffered much but who has come into a final rest and new depth of spiritual awareness at the end of his life. It was Beethoven's final "swan song" and is surely one of the greatest and most poinant compositions he wrote.

All-in-all, this CD is a very high-quality set of inspiring recordings that make not only for calm background music, but also for moments of introspection and growing musical appreciation. The non-techical music notes included give a helpful and interesting background on the music and composer. The sound quality is fine and not distracting in any way. A beautiful introduction to Beethoven's chamber music (for 2-5 instruments) and one you can listen to often and most any time.

When you can't recognize a Bach from Beethoven composition like me, this works perfectly. Once again Phillips as assembled a wonderful group of sonatas, trios and quartets to soothe the spirit. These songs are all slow and tranquil, perfect for those quiet moments when music is not to be intrusive but inclusive. Phillips has a whole line of classical music composers brought together with various themes such as this one. I've found them to be extremely convenient. Highly recommended for those that like their music softly at times, gently caressing the grey matter between ones ears. This music can tame even the most combustible moments. It recently was playing while discussing an issue that my teenage son and I were miles apart on. It seemed to help keep cool heads. I think I'll suggest a title like Tchaikovsky for Teen and Parents Issues since Phillips is open for themes for future discs!

If you're a fan of Philips's Set Your Life to Music series, you'll want to get this CD. It will be especially good for string and piano music lovers. I have several of the series, and it has quickly become my favorite. It's perfect for reading, studying, or just "kicking back." If you know of someone who needs to relax and would like this type of CD, get it for him/her. You'll get major points for it.

I'm a huge fan of classical music in general but finding something soothing and ethereal that can hum in the background as I practice my favorite hobby is priceless. I can sit for hours and read but most of the time I don't like any noise whatsoever unless it's melancholy raindrops bursting on my window or very soft and quiet radio. WQXR (classical station) being my favorite as it's even my station of choice on my alarm clock is nice but I find the talking and commercials and occasional circus music distracting during reading, hence this soft, bookstore like music, prefect even if little short. Sometimes I run this twice before I can tear myself away form a good book. I guess I'm saying its short because I can literally read all day, most normal people probably get an hour or so in, but not me, good thing that the series has more than one album dedicated to the love of books.

Beethoven in general is probably perceived as heavy, opulent and stormy. I adore his compositions but was pleasantly surprised that this album had the perfect mix of his light tunes. Minutes, adagios and sonatas, pieces mostly filed with violin and piano and some throbbing cello dominate the scene with tenderness and whispers of melodies that beckon me to read more than I have time for, this is truly the perfect companion to any book. This isn't only for reading; obviously this music is a wonderful quiet background for any day that I feel like relaxing and on days I feel like blasting loud rock I do so with relish and don't feel that I only have to like one type of music.

This album goes great with macaroni and cheese, I'm eating some as I type and while it's very mellow for dinner, it still makes me feel relaxed, happy and content - perfect with comfort food, ha ha. I've been a fan of the whole series of "Music for..." albums since I was a teenager and you can find tunes for any occasion, mood or activity. I keep coming back to this music and it always fits perfectly with anything I'm doing or even better, when I'm doing absolutely nothing...

- Kasia S.

I write this not for the cd itself but the entire alliterative series that seeks to introduce classical music to another generation of listeners. I first started collecting these releases about ten years ago when I needed a broad sampling of chamber music and was delighted to find the quality of the performances superb and the tracks themselves well-chosen and sequenced. Each one of these discs, however cornball the names may be, offers some of the best music written in the last four hundred years. If you love chamber music, this is a wonderful way to acquaint yourself with almost any of the major composers of western civilization.

Some of Beethoven's most relaxing and tranquil music is included in this wonderful cd. Whether you're reading your favorite novel, doing homework or simply relaxing, this cd provides soothing background music, helping to enhance your concentration. There are no loud trumpets and such blasting, since it is basically peaceful music.

I grew up in a house where I was the only one who appreciated classical music. I bought this cd, fell in love with the peace it brought to my midnight baths and morning meditations, that I shared it with my family....... who made me go out and buy them all a copy for christmas.

This CD is full of music that is very soothing and perfect for a relaxing afternoon or evening curled up with a good book.

I listened to this when I was on a very high stresss project with many people and many things happenning. So at the end fo the day, when I had intense amounts of analytical work to do till late hours, I listened to this CD. It brought to me a meditative calm in the storm. I still use it for this very specific purpose 10 years later.

Just received this CD today, and it's definitely wonderful background for reading; however, don't limit it to that. If you just need some time to close your eyes and unwind, this is also the perfect companion. Love it!