Search - J.S. Bach :: Bach for Book Lovers

POETIC & OUTSTANDING!

01/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I didn't know a lick about classical music unti now. I came across this (a three cd set titled "Music for Book Lovers" while browsing a mail order flyer which came with a bookclub mailing. The whismical cover art and idea of soothing reading music attracted me. As with books, I immediately got on Amazon to locate and read reviews. I listened to the (very generous) samples and was impressed...it sounded like wonderful music! Amazon, of course, had a much better price so I ordered the cd set. I fell in love immediately upon placing in my cd player where it hasn't left since! This stuff is awesome and I've missed out all these years until now! The "Bach for Book Lovers" is my favorite and not just for reading - I bath, sleep, work, relax, read, wash dishes, watch the sunset, you name it! The piano pieces are so poetic and soothing, but never boring. The collection of pieces are thoughtfully and appropriately chosen. The other two cds in the set are even more relaxing and good for chasing away stress, tension, and even sleeplessnes. I have since ordered six more cds in this delightful series, as well as the book "Classical Music For Dummies." Can't wait for Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and more Bach to arrive! (The cds include an excellent liner catalog of other cds in the series). It doesn't take an expert to distinguish and enjoy great music - Thanks Amazon!"

Bach & Books! Can It Get Any Better!

rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 11/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Combining two of my favorite things, Bach and Books, this is a great find for those who are in to these two!A fine selection of Bach is displayed, from concerto to suite, from oboe to clavier to harpsichord to orchestra, the variety and peaceful that exude from this fine collection are soothing.Certainly this delivers what it promised, relaxing, warm music to surround one when reading. I often combine the two and this will become a staple for just that."

Relaxing not agitating classical music

Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 06/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Especially to the average listener, certain types of classical music can seem ... well, actually disturbing to listen to with its sometimes frenzied tempos, dissonant tones or dramatic shifts in loudness - and all of that sometimes after a day of frenzied schedules, harsh people and constant noise. Fortunately, most all of 18th century classical music - like that of Bach or Mozart - was composed purposely to inspire contentment, cheerfulness and refreshment. Such is the music on this CD. Not only is this music calming to listen to when reading or meandering around the house but also is an inspiring introduction to the music of the great Baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach.



THis CD contains a fine selection of various types of instrumental music Bach wrote (solo piano, concerto for solo instrument and small orchestra) that all have a similar, more gentle tempo that makes for a delightful, non-intrusive background for entertaining, reading or conversation. But don't let the cute cover graphics mislead you that this is not serious quality music - most of the selections here are taken from several top Philips recordings with mostly good sound quality. About half the selections are gentle, lyrical piano solo works ("preludes") from Bach's keyboard masterpiece called "The Well-Tempered Clavier" and provide a wonderful repose in between the more lively orchestral works. If there is one complaint here, it would be the sound quality on the solo piano music which is a bit harsh. But it still makes a great place to start to explore the music of Bach or just to have some nice music on hand for reading.



Last, if you find you like the music of Bach here (especially the piano selections), you will might enjoy some higher-quality recordings of Bach's keyboard concertos or the "Well-Tempered Clavier" by Angela Hewitt - the premier Bach pianist of our time. Her two Bach Concerto recordings masterfully capture the lively spirit and graceful nuances of Bach and are wonderful music for a Sunday morning. A great "next step" for exploring the vast and rich musical world of Bach once you take in this CD."