Customer Reviews

The Jane Austen Companion

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had this CD for over a year now and of all my many classical albums, tapes, MP3's and CDs it is, by far, my most played CD. I listen to it almost every evening as I fall asleep. The more you play this music, the more you'll love it. Don't let the title fool you, this is some heady stuff. It may turn you on to some lesser know composers (i.e. William Boyce) and I guarantee you won't be dissatisfied. If you love Baroque you will love this CD.

I have to admit that I haven't heard this CD, and I'm sure it is very pleasant listening. BUT Jane Austen died when Mendelssohn was 8 years old, and although he was precocious, he wasn't that precocious! Also the music Jane Austen played and heard most would have been piano music and, as another reviewer has mentioned, chamber music. The concerts she attended often included Italian songs, for example. In her music collection there was nothing by Beethoven or even Mozart. A really interesting JA music companion album would have made an effort to establish what music she would have heard - and without the easy availability of recordings we have, it wouldn't necessarily have been what we now regard as the great classics. Anybody interested in this topic should read "The Innocent Diversion: a study of music in the life and writings of Jane Austen" by Patrick Piggott, London, 1979.

My mother purchased this CD for me as a gift and I have used it as study music ever since. It provides the perfect background without distraction, yet somehow manages to lift the spirits when books, tests, and papers abound.

If you love classical music while reading, relaxing or having a bit of tea, you won't regret getting this album. I personally love it to bits, worth every penny!

A great price for such a beautiful CD.
This CD is a must have if you love Jane Austen.
Buy this CD, you will not be disappointed!

The more I listen to this cd, the more I love it!! It is very beautiful.

If you like slow beautiful music, this is for you.
Austen has a great taste for harmonic melodies.
I've listen to this CD over and over again.
I still enjoy the beautiful music!

Perhaps the music is not authentic to period, however it is a lovely collection. I would say it is more about mood than historical accuracy. If you want music that sets a mood, to read Austen's work, to stitch, to dine or just to listen to, this collection will give great pleasure.

I decided to try this cd based on the good reviews it got and I'm certainly glad I did ! The music is just perfect for relaxing and filling the house with all the old classical masterpieces. A good buy that that's well worth the money!

To Jane Austen purists, who know every detail and pore from the author's face, this CD is probably not authentic. But the title is Jane Austen Companion, it is music to read her by, work by, clean house by, drive your car by. It is a gorgeous selection of music that is calming, peaceful and just plain old beautiful music. I love it and you will too.