Vivaldi for Valentines
Another installment in Philips's Set Your Life to Music series (which has includedMozart for Your Mind,Baroque at Bathtime, andRachmaninoff for Romance, among others),Vivaldi for Valentinesis loosely built around the aura of romance that Venice continues to evoke. Vivaldi captured it for all time in his music, inspired by the often melancholy beauty of his native city, one that has been known through the ages asLa Serenissima. Along with such ultrafamiliar pieces as the "Winter" largo movement fromThe Four Seasons(in which the violin sighs a rapturous melody against sounds imitating a crackling, cozy fire) and the Largo of the Guitar Concerto in D--Vivaldi's slow movements, with all their gentle dreaminess, being given the limelight in this compilation--are many gems you've likely not heard before. The list of performers and approaches is too expansive even to mention but predominantly features performances byI Musici. It's hard to believe that Vivaldi's music, having sunk into oblivion, resurfaced again only a few decades ago. This is a pleasant compilation that makes a perfect entrée if you'd like to learn more about classical music--and Vivaldi in particular--thanThe Four Season. And, as for setting a romantic mood, this will give your mojo all the help it needs.--Thomas May