Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Raymond Leppard :: Bach for Breakfast: The Leisurely Way to Start Your Day

Easy listening for first timers

Kevin Lim | Tokyo, Japan | 11/07/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you want to get initiated to the classics, this CD has an excellent selection of radio friendly pieces from Bach. The recording is good and comes off well off most systems, and there are excellent references to great conductors and orchestras, like sir Neville Marriner and St. Martin in the Fields. The selection includes the "common" pieces like Air on the G string and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring as well as invigorating pieces like Heinz Hollinger's Oboe Concerto in A, which to date is still the best performance of that piece I have heard to date."

Gentle background music with lots of harp

Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 06/25/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In general, the Philips series "Set Your Life to Music" is one of the better, high-quality compilation series of classical music. This CD is a collection of Bach's Baroque-era music that is ideal for those unfamiliar to the often-intimidating world of classical music who mainly are looking for some pleasant and inspiring background music while learning a little about classical music. This Bach collection contains music that is rich in the soothing sounds of flute, harp, guitar and oboe along with a sampling of Bach's mild-mannered, songful orchestral music. Overall, the selections are all gentle and lyrical with a good sound quality. The concerto, oboe and orchestral works are some of Bach's finest compositions of sheer beauty and elegance and are performed by some of classical music's finest musicians. Some selections most everyone who has been ever been to a few weddings will recognize (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire). And no piece is as haughtingly lovely as the flute sonata slow movement (Siciliano) on track 5 - a highlight of the disc.



While 'classical purists' may raise their brow because of the many flute/harp selections (citing that Bach never composed any music for the harp), the person buying this CD for inspiring and relaxing mood music should be be delighted just fine with these "transcriptions" from piano to harp. The harp has a special niche for creating the most serene of atmospheres which it does not fail to do here. The solo Suite in E-flat was originally composed for solo violin but sounds much more smooth and dreamy on the harp - a piece very well done. However, some pieces are so serene that you might fall asleep at the breakfast table - hence, the sub-title "A leisurely way to start your day." Actually, it could easily be titled, "Bach for Bedtime" as the selections are all pretty relaxed and on the quiet side. So, if the hyper-energy of Mozart symphonies is too much for your mornings or if the sharp surges of Beethoven's music unsettle you, then these calmer Bach selections should be a better way to ease into the day.



If you like the flavor of Baroque music, "Bach for Book Lovers" in the same series is a good choice and has more solo piano selections for the piano lover. "Bach for Bedtime" is also a wonderful (non-duplicating) collection of some of Bach's most serene music and is also recommended. Perhaps the most calming and sedating music in this Philip's series is "Baroque for Bathtime" which can easily put you to sleep - in a good way - with or without the bath. All are high quality with well-selected pieces from the treasures of classical music's most influential composer of the Baroque era - Johann Sebastian Bach."

Excellent CD for first time Classical listeners

kris@jobnet.com | Suburb of Philadelphia, PA | 12/09/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music has been softened and is not done in the traditional Baroque style, which makes it easier to appreciate - especially if you are not a traditional Classical music listener. Makes for wonderful background music while entertaining guests without causing distraction!"