The day comes to an end: light fades, darkness comes, and it is time for little ones to go to bed. The mother or father sits by the cradle, rocking it gently from side to side and singing a quiet song. Eyes close and sleep descends. Another day is over.
This traditional scene has inspired many composers and musicians all over the world. Every country has lullabies, and classical composers have had direct experience of the lulling effect, remembered from childhood or felt as parents. They have written music to sing, to play, to hum. Sometimes it is music specifically for the bedside; sometimes it is to evoke the atmosphere in the concert hall; and sometimes it is to tell a story on the stage – in a ballet or an opera.
But the character of the music is unmistakeable: a warm melody based on a quietly rocking rhythm, safe and enveloping. Here is a collection of some of the best-known and most effective lullabies.
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Music Tracks and Information:
TR 1 ( 00:02:12 ) 5 Lieder, Op. 49: No. 4. Wiegenlied (Lullaby) (arr. for orchestra)
Composer: Brahms, Johannes Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Breiner, Peter
TR 2 ( 00:06:26 ) A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61, MWV M13, Act III: Nocturne
Composer: Mendelssohn, Felix Performer: Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra; Bramall, Anthony
TR 3 ( 00:02:43 ) Kinderszenen (Scenes of childhood), Op. 15: VII. Träumerei (Dreaming)
Composer: Schumann, Robert Performer: Jandó, Jenő
TR 4 ( 00:05:21 ) Berceuse, Op. 16
Composer: Fauré, Gabriel Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Clark, Keith
TR 5 ( 00:06:12 ) Nocturne No. 8 in D-Flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2
Composer: Chopin, Fryderyk Performer: Biret, Idil
TR 6 ( 00:04:26 ) Chanson de nuit, Op. 15, No. 1
Composer: Elgar, Edward Performer: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; Judd, James
TR 7 ( 00:04:25 ) Lyric Pieces, Book 5, Op. 54: No. 4. Nocturne
Composer: Grieg, Edvard Performer: Steen-Nøkleberg, Einar
TR 8 ( 00:03:07 ) 2 Pieces, Op. posth., B. 188: No. 1. Lullaby in G Major
Composer: Dvořák, Antonín Performer: Veselka, Stefan
TR 9 ( 00:04:26 ) Suite bergamasque: III. Clair de lune (arr. A. Reed for orchestra)
Composer: Debussy, Claude Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Clark, Keith
TR 10 ( 00:02:32 ) Album for the Young, Op. 39: No. 21. Sweet Dreams (Douce rêverie)
Composer: Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Il'yich Performer: Biret, Idil
TR 11 ( 00:02:04 ) Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 6, Op. 67: No. 36 in E Major, Op. 67, No. 6, MWV U188
Composer: Mendelssohn, Felix Performer: Nagy, Péter
TR 12 ( 00:02:07 ) Wiegenlied, Op. 98, No. 2, D. 498 (arr. for orchestra)
Composer: Schubert, Franz Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Breiner, Peter
TR 13 ( 00:04:38 ) Berceuse in D-Flat Major, Op. 57
Composer: Chopin, Fryderyk Performer: Biret, Idil
TR 14 ( 00:04:13 ) Book of Songs, Book 1: Come, heavy sleep
Composer: Dowland, John Performer: Rickards, Steven; Linell, Dorothy
TR 15 ( 00:04:25 ) Rêverie
Composer: Debussy, Claude Performer: Thiollier, François-Joël
