It's 3 am and I'm in bed listening to Norah Jones. And as usual I can't seem to be able to fall asleep...
So as my mind was drifting away to many places a question popped into my head (yet again). Some time ago, a friend asked me this: "Is love ever enough?". I gave it some thought, but couldn't really decide on an answer. And I don't have a proper one tonight. But maybe it can be. Why? Because everyday something happens which makes me sad and believing in things like this make me smile. I'm well aware that most of the time love isn't enough, whether it's because of people being miles apart, someone having a moment of doubt or whatever. But once in a while it seems to be possible. Somehow, somewhere, love is enough. All I can say is that I want to believe it is.
A while ago I decided to treat myself with a long bubbly bath, a glass (or two) of red wine and some classical music. That was probably the most relaxing evening I've had this whole year. And it was mostly due to the music. So now I want to share my favourite pieces of relaxing classical music with you. Enjoy!
1. Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
2. Suite No. 3 In D Major, BWV 1068: Air - Johann Sebastian Bach (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
3. Peer Gynt: Prelude (Morning) - Edvard Grieg (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
4. Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata No. 208 (Arr. Marriner) - Johann Sebastian Bach (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
5. Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: II Adagio Sostenuto - Sergei Rachmaninov (Cecile Ousset)
6. Rhapsody On a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVIII - Sergei Rachmaninov (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra)
7. Gabriel's Oboe - Ennio Morricone
8. Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio - Opening - Joaquín Rodrigo (Julian Bream)
9. Variations On an Original Theme, 'Enigma', Op. 36: IX. Nimrod - Edward Elgar (London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Adrian Boult)
10. Cavatina - Stanley Myers (Manuel Barrueco & Steve Morse)
11. Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 11: II. Romance: Larghetto - Frédéric Franciszek Chopin (Martha Argerich)
12. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor 'Moonlight', Op. 27, No. 2: I. Adagio Sostenuto - Ludwig van Beethoven (Moura Lympany)
13. Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy (Moura Lympany)
14. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana - Pietro Mascagni (Philharmonia Orchestra)
15. Cinema Paradiso Love Theme - Ennio Morricone (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
16. Romance from the Gadfly - Dmitri Shostakovich (Tasmin Little)
17. Double Violin Concerto In D Minor, BWV 1043: II. Largo Ma non Tanto (Opening) - Johann Sebastian Bach (Yehudi Menuhin)
18. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 26: II. Adagio (Opening) - Max Bruch (Yehudi Menuhin)
19. Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude - Johann Sebastian Bach (Yo Yo Ma)
20. Brahms: Waltz In A Flat, Op. 39/15 - Johannes Brahms (Katia & Marielle Labèque)
There's no particular order to the list, but I do have a favourite! Unfortunately it's not the same version as the one in the list, but there you go. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
