For setting a romantic mood, certain kinds of classical music fit the bill in a way not many others can. Record companies have long exploited this aspect of classical music's marketability in packages ranging from demure to kitschy. RCA Victor's
R. Peter Munves, however, deserves special recognition for taking this marketing approach to a new level of gratuity in his "Love Notes" series. Leaving behind the soft-focus, candle-lit atmosphere that traditionally marks this type of package,
Munves has developed the first series of classical recordings to be branded with a Parental Advisory sticker. Shacking Up to Chopin is a title that perhaps is an obvious choice, not only in view of the mood germane to
Chopin's ultra-romantic style, but also in view of the fact that
Chopin himself was known for being involved in a fair amount of shacking-up, famously so with authoress
George Sand. These are all very fine performances of
Chopin's music featuring legendary names in classical pianism:
Vladimir Horowitz,
Peter Serkin,
John Browning, and
Abbey Simon, among others. The sound quality somewhat varies, perhaps owing to the rather wide span of time covered by the original individual recordings. It is probably a good thing that
Munves didn't include the famous "Funeral March" from the Sonata No. 2 as part of this package -- it would truly give new dimension to the Shakespearean notion of what it means "to die." From a general-interest standpoint, the collection is fine; however, it's hard to imagine indulging in carnal lust to a backdrop of
Chopin's "Revolutionary" etude. Perhaps some couples will find the disc so interesting they'll forget the sex and just listen to the music.