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What makes music romantic? Like beauty, romanticism is in the eye—or ear—of the beholder. As a musical movement, it is generally associated with nineteenth century Europe though the romantic movement actually originated in Germany. Its visual symbol, used by poets from Novalis to Eichendorff, is Die blaue Blume (The blue Flower). In this exquisite trilogy of romantic classical music, The Romantic Approach explores the origin of music romanticism, French and Italian romantic music, and 20th century American romantic music written after the end of the romantic era. The first volume in this trilogy, The Romantic Approach: A Special Collection of 20th Century American Music (13087-2) may have surprised listeners who felt that contemporary America has produced very little romantic art. The diverse roster of some of the last century's finest composers also reflects the diversity in the music, from jazz influence to classical. This collection of works echo the lyrical, tonal style of European classical music of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Romantic Approach, Volume Two: A Special Collection of Classical Music from Italy and France (13101-2) showcases the very heart of romantic literature. Of all the countries in the world, France and Italy have been those most associated with things romantic; even the sounds of their languages are musical, and that song-like quality has certainly colored much of the music of these two countries. Some of the works and composers on this volume will be familiar to opera lovers, a central part of the musical life of these countries, although all selections are instrumental. It is rounded out with unjustly neglected masterpieces from several gifted French and Italian composers, reaching all the way into the present time. The Romantic Approach, Volume Three: Classical Music from Germany (13162-2) takes us back to the origin of the Romantic movement—to Germany—and to the emotional works of some of its greatest composers. These composers could move their listeners without having to resort to painting a particular image in sound. This is music that can speak to the emotions without dictating which emotion you should feel; in fact, it can evoke a different vision or story in each listener. The Romantic Approach / Complete Edition (3CD) Celestial Harmonies 19910-2 UPC 0 1371 19910 2 4

Volume One: -Quiet City by Aaron Copland -Lonely Town (Pas de deux) from On the Town: Three Dance Episodes by Leonard Bernstein -Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 2 by Henry Cowell -Elegy by Elliott Carter -Adagio from String Quartet by Samuel Barber -Dream by John Cage -Lullaby by George Gershwin -A Night Piece by Arthur Foote -3rd Movement from Quartet for Violin, Clarinet, Cello and Piano by Peter Schickele -Village of the Virgins from Suite from the River by Duke Ellington -Painted Desert from Grand Canyon Suite by Ferde Grofé -The Unanswered Question from Two Contemplations by Charles Ives Celestial Harmonies 13087-2 UPC 0 1371 13087 2 3

Volume Two: -Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni -Clair de Lune from Suite bergamasque by Claude Debussy -Prélude V for String Orchestra by Jean Françaix -Berceuse from Dolly Suite Op. 56 by Gabriel Fauré -Andantino from Sonata for Strings No. 1 in G by Gioachino Rossini -Largo from Concerto in C for Mandolin and Strings RV 425 by Antonio Vivaldi -Nocturne from La Boutique Fantasque by Ottorino Respighi -Crisantemi by Giacomo Puccini -Andantino from String Quartet by Giuseppe Verdi -Notturno Op. 70 No. 1 by Giuseppe Martucci -Andantino, doucement expressif from String Quartet by Claude Debussy -Andante religioso / Meditation from Thaïs by Jules Massenet -Très lent from String Quartet by Maurice Ravel -Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie Celestial Harmonies 13101-2 UPC 0 1371 13101 2 2

Volume Three: -Adagio sostenuto from Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor Op. 27 No. 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven -Fantasia from Clarinet Quintet in B Flat Major Op. 34 by Carl Maria von Weber -Romance No. 2 in F Major Op. 50 by Ludwig van Beethoven -Songs without Words Book 7 No. 41 in A Major Op. 85 No. 5 by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy -Kol Nidrei Adagio on Hebraic Melodies Op. 47 by Max Bruch -Langsam getragen from Fantasie in C Major Op. 17 by Robert Schumann -Adagio from Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B Minor Op. 115 by Johannes Brahms -Siegfried Idyll by Richard Wagner Celestial Harmonies 13162-2 UPC 0 1371 13162 2 3