At MusicaClasicaBA, on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, we celebrate the love for music. Here’s a small selection to enjoy on this day (and others).
1. Puccini – O mio babbino caro
Dating tip: don’t try to sing this song to your partner to please them more or to make up for the lack of Valentine’s Day gifts. Instead, let’s listen to Anna Netrebko.
2. Rachmaninov – Concierto para piano n. ° 2
This concerto became famous as the heartbreaking soundtrack of the movie “Brief Encounter.”
3. Elgar – Salut d’amour
If you have a mustache or are somehow British or emotionally restrained, all you have to do is play this piece on the stereo, stand awkwardly in the corner, and wait for the object of your desire to shower you with kisses. Guaranteed*. (*Not guaranteed at all).
4. Puccini – O soave fanciulla, de La bohème
Let Pavarotti speak. Singing. Anyway, Puccini does romance, distressed or joyful, better than most, and this aria is one of his most emotionally charged duets.
5. Rota – Tema de amor, de Romeo y Julieta
So the story itself didn’t end so well (the whirlwind of Christmas romance goes terribly wrong, teenagers take drastic measures, etc.), but the music inspired by Shakespeare’s most famous romance is so moving, so emotional…
Bonus track
The manuscript of the song Belle, bonne et sage is in the shape of a heart. It’s by the French composer Baude Cordier, representative of the musical style called Ars subtilior.
The lyrics begin like this:
Kind, good, wise, gentle, and noble,
On this day when the year becomes new,
I give you the gift of a new song
From my heart, which is presented to you.
