Friday, June 28, 2013

CD Review: Rachel Barton Pine's 'Violin Lullabies'

Rachel Barton Pine
Violin Lullabies
Cedille Records

American violinist and award-winning performer, Rachel Barton Pine, presents us with an amazing set of lullabies on violin, which is joined by Matthew Hagle on piano. The album was inspired by the birth of her daughter a few years ago. After looking for classical music for lullabies, Rachel came up with Violin Lullabies, which features selective compositions from Brahms, Gershwin, Ravel, Schubert, Strauss, Rebikov, and others. The meditative and sweeping piano melodies alongside the somewhat somber and melancholic violin tunes creates a purely classical approach that is fun for mother, baby, and anyone else. There are twenty-five instrumental lullabies and cradle songs from across Europe. The earthy violin and plaintive piano sounds are a perfect mix for the neo-classical world. Rachel knows how to evoke emotive responses on violin without compromising anything. Fans of classical music will rejoice here, but anyone interested in relaxing or lounging will find plenty of music to eat up. It's high-brow wow for the common folk! ~ Matthew Forss

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