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Sleep Softly: Classical Lullabies by Brahms, Schubert, Satie, Debussy…

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Songs performed by L’Ensemble Agora  |  Illustrations Élodie Nouhen

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This selection of beloved melodies from some of the world’s more revered composers, including Brahms, Schubert, Ravel, and Debussy, will lull babies into a sweet, blissful sleep. Along with the whimsical, dream-like illustrations, the storybook and accompanying CD feature 16 classical lullabies orchestrated for a wind quintet and harp performed by the critically acclaimed L’Ensemble Agora. In addition, a brief commentary accompanies each featured musical work.  (Ages 0-3)
 
The Secret Mountains’ Sleep Softly: Classical Lullabies by Brahms, Schubert, Satie, Debussy… is a beautiful book and music CD set.  The book features dreamy illustrations by Elodie Nouhen accompanied by explanatory notes describing the composition and arrangement of each recording.  The illustrations are  whimsical with muted colours that are very much reminiscent of a dream.  Absolutely gorgeous and perfect for bedtime.

Keira flipping through the pages of the book as we listen to the CD together.  She really enjoys taking in all the details and it seems to have a calming effect on her.

 
The Music CD was recorded in France with the acclaimed quintet Ensemble Agora and contains sixteen classical lullabies orchestrated for a wind quintet and harp performed by the critically acclaimed L’Ensemble Agora.   This is such a relaxing collection of classical lullabies perfect for sending a newborn off to sleep but equally as sleep inducing in older children and adults.
 
COMPOSITION / DURATION / COMPOSER:
 
1. Barcarolle 2.22 Jacques Offenbach
2. Après un rêve (After a Dream) 3.08 Gabriel Fauré
3. Von Fremden Ländern (Of Foreign Lands) 1.30 Robert Schumann
4. La boîte à Joujou (The Toybox) 1.16 Claude Debussy
5. Gymnopédie No. 1 3.24 Eric Satie 
6. La poupée (The Doll) 2.07 Georges Bizet
7. Sändmannchen (The Little Sandman) 2.31 Johannes Brahms
8. Wiegenlied (Lullaby) 0.56 Johannes Brahms 
9. Solveig’s Song 3.16 Edvard Grieg
10. Schlafe, mein Prinzchen, schlaf ein (Sleep, My Little Prince, Fall Asleep) 0.48 Bernard Flies
11. Ständchen (Serenade) 4.17 Franz Shubert
12. Gute nacht (Good Night) 2.48 Franz Shubert
13. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty’s Pavane) 1.46 Maurice Ravel
14. Feuillet d’album (Album Leaf) 1.46 Emmanuel Chabrier
15. Dors, ami (Sleep, my friend) 0.52 Jules Ma
 
What is your favourite Classical Lullaby?
 
 
 

Victoria Ess

Sunday 15th of November 2015

This sounds really lovely for newborns and infants.

Elva Roberts

Thursday 7th of May 2015

My favorite Lullaby is :Hush, Little Baby, Don't you cry... I don't think this is a classical one. I love the CD you mention and I am so happy you told me about it. The child can look at the accompanying book and have some idea of what the words mean. Thank you for giving us this information.

Dhemz Apdian - Dias

Thursday 7th of May 2015

wow, my daughter would love this. Thanks for sharing!

HopscotchNJellybeans

Wednesday 6th of May 2015

I will have to check this out. I always like to play music for my sons when they sleep

Elizabeth Lampman

Wednesday 6th of May 2015

This sounds like a great CD. I will have to pick up a copy and put it on at night. I love classical music.