Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album

Various Artists (Artist), Bach (Composer), Verdi (Composer), Pachelbel (Composer), Chopin (Composer), Rachmaninoff (Composer), Riccardo Muti (Conductor), Sir Neville Marriner (Conductor), Sir Simon Rattle (Conductor), Sir Adrian Boult (Conductor), Philharmonia Orchestra (Orchestra), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra), Choir of King s College (Orchestra), Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury (Orchestra), Alexandre Tharaud (Performer), Barbara Hendricks (Performer), Samson Francois (Performer), Alexis Weissenberg (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alexandre Tharaud, Barbara Hendricks, Samson Francois, Alexis Weissenberg
• Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Choir of King s College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury
• Conductor: Riccardo Muti, Sir Neville Marriner, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Adrian Boult
• Composer: Bach, Verdi, Pachelbel, Chopin, Rachmaninoff
• Audio CD (September 11, 2012)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol Records
• ASIN: B008PZ69T8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (164 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,022 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
  • #13 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > Forms & Genres
  • #13 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > By Period > Classical (c.1770-1830)

Editorial Reviews

EMI Classics will release Fifty Shades of Grey The Classical Album, a 15-track album featuring classical music personally selected by author E L James herself and referenced in her bestselling Fifty Shades book trilogy. The album will be available digitally August 21st and on CD September 18th.

Says James of the new compilation album: "I am thrilled that the classical pieces that inspired me while I wrote the Fifty Shades Trilogy are being brought together in one collection for all lovers of the books to enjoy."

The three novels in the Fifty Shades trilogy (Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed) are published by Vintage Books and have sold more than 20 million copies in the U.S. (the trilogy has sold 31 million copies worldwide). The books' various references to classical music have spurred sales of the pieces mentioned even going so far as to cause Spem in Alium, a 16th century motet for 40 voices by Thomas Tallis, to jump to the top of the classical charts in the UK.

Fifty Shades of Grey The Classical Album aims to provide the perfect accompaniment to the Fifty Shades reading experience, setting a mysterious and alluring atmosphere with just the slightest hint of danger...the music on the album includes The Tallis Scholars' sweeping version of Spem in Alium featured in the first novel, along with 14 other works from the books, such as the 'Flower Duet' from Lakmé, Pachelbel's Canon in D, the 'aria' from Bach's Goldberg Variations and more. The recording artists include such world-class performers as Sir Simon Rattle, King's College Choir, Barbara Hendricks, and Alexandre Tharaud, and the album features cover art based on the novels with a liner note from E L James.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Album September 11, 2012

By Adriane Leigh

Format:MP3 Music

I may have first had interest in this album because of the 50 Shades books, but the music is so hauntingly beautiful on its own. As I was reading the books I found myself pausing to look up certain songs mentioned, so while it may seem silly to have an entire album based upon books, I'm really glad there is. Not only am I excited to re-read the books and play this as my background music, but I see myself listening to this when I just need to unwind and relax too.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Awful for classical snobs, but good for Fifty Shades readers November 21, 2012

By J.L. TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Ludwig is twisting in his grave at the fact that this is currently the top-selling classical album. Any classical aficionado (ahem, snob) will look at the selections on this album and call them safe, vanilla, uninteresting. Make no mistake: This is an unabashed attempt to profit on the already-ridiculously-profitable Fifty Shades brand, and to do so by selling widely appealing (i.e., "vanilla") music.

But this album wasn't made for classical snobs. It was made for people who want some musical mood enhancers for their reading experience. And for that, it works. You will certainly get a better Fifty Shades reading experience through this album than you will by, say, turning on the radio to Maroon 5 and Ke$ha and Flo Rida.

The music on this album has a subtle, emerging intensity, a mysterious allure with a vague suggestion of danger. Which means it's a perfect complement for the book.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly beautiful September 15, 2012

By Terry

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have to admit that I am totally caught up in the trilogy -- and I have always loved classical music-- so this is a double treat for me. It has introduced me to Thomas Trellis, who like many people who are casual classical listeners, I've never heard before being introduced to it in the book. Some other less familiar pieces are simply haunting and lushly beautiful. The more familiar pieces are heard in a slightly different context. If you've read the book, you will never be able to listen to Bach's Concerto in D Minor without thinking of Christian Grey playing sadly at the piano, or the Goldberg variations without thinking of "THAT SCENE!!" At the same time, this volume stands on its own as a relaxing and lovely collection of some of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. It is worth every cent!