Track Listing

1. The Swan (from 'Carnival of the Animals'), original (for 2 pianos & ensemble) and arrangements
2. Canzone, for cello & orchestra/piano in B major, Op. 55
3. Sicilienne, for cello & piano, Op. 78
4. Caprice and Elegy, for cello & chamber orchestra, RT vii/8: Caprice
5. Elegie: Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth (IVa), for violin or cello & piano, S. 382 (LW D21)
6. Chant, for solo cello
7. Adagio & Allegro for horn (or violin or cello) & piano in A flat major, Op. 70: Adagio
8. Concerto militaire, for cello & orchestra in G major
9. Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: Allamande
10. Sonata for cello & piano in G minor, Op. 65, CT. 204: Largo
11. Cello Concerto, for cello, strings & continuo in G minor, RV 417: Andante
12. Stücke im Volkston (5) for cello (or violin) & piano, Op. 102: Langsam
13. Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, H. 7b/1: Adagio
14. Morceau de Concours, for flute & piano (or strings) in F major
15. Silent Woods (Klid), for cello & piano (arr. from From the Bohemian Forest, B. 133), B. 173 (Op. 68/5)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4621 in Music
• Brand: RCA
• Released on: 2001-06-19
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

75 minutes of meditative music
The cello is almost always the instrument I turn to for relaxation. It meditates upon a deeper, slower spectrum of emotion than say, a harp or violin.

I put this CD to the ultimate test and took it to the hospital with me, to see if its music could counteract the threat and ultimate deployment of needles---and it was indeed much less painful to be poked while in a state of relaxation, as induced by these (mainly 19th century) compositions.

My two favorite selections from "Cello for Relaxation" are Camille Saint-Saëns' "The Swan" from "Carnival of the Animals," and John Tavener's "Chant," which is an unaccompanied melody, "without barlines or meter, shaped as a palindrome." Steven Isserles performs as the cello soloist for both of these compositions.

In my continuing search for relaxation music, this CD now rates as number one. Its music was selected with a sensitivity to dynamics, and beautiful, adagio playing. Its musicality is superb and unobtrusively displayed, and allows the listener to meditate, or relax into much-needed sleep.

Everyday Cello
I bought this CD solely based on the fact that I love the cello. I do not pretend to know classical music - I buy what I like to hear, and this CD exceeded my expectations. It is such a pleasure to listen to this disk; it is soothing and every track is worth it!

soothing
It's not a bad CD, although I believe there has got to be a better rendition of The Swan somewhere out there. The problem with this version is that the piano overwhelms the cello playing.

The rest of the CD is pretty nice and relaxing. Worth what I paid for it.