Valentine's Day Romance from Medici.tv
Our Valentine’s playlist perfectly demonstrates the universality of music as a language of love.
Andrea Bocelli: Concerto — One Night in Central Park
Nothing says romance quite like opera and Puccini was quite the grand master of the genre. This particular duet, ‘Oh Lovely Girl’ is the shining moment of realisation that the two protagonists are in love. They leave the stage singing ‘Amour! Amour!’
The 2018 Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert, in the gardens of Vienna’s world-famous Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the best pieces of classical romantic music, and the perfect mood-setter for Valentine’s Day. A beautiful, tender melody soaring over a thick haze of schmaltzy strings.
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
What could be more romantic than Elgar’s Salut d’Amour, the musical love letter he presented to his wife, Caroline Alice Roberts as an engagement present. There are no pyrotechnics, grand orchestra or over-the-top gestures in this piece: it is the embodiment of simple, uncomplicated, joyful love.
Grand Piano Competition 2021: Finals (I/II), Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra
Brooding, emotional and passionate, (oh, and seriously challenging to play), this is one of the best pieces of classical romantic music and will be familiar to many as having featured in the 1945 film Brief Encounter. Rachmaninov’s swelling, emotional theme lent itself perfectly to the film’s romantic moments.
played by Sarah Chang
Méditation’s silky violin solo dips and dives, floating high above gentle orchestral accompaniment. Arguably the most passionate and sexiest violin piece ever performed.
Kristine Opolais (Latvian National Opera)
Back to Puccini who wrote many beautiful, emotional melodies for star-crossed lovers. In this deeply moving aria, a love-sick soprano implores her father to help her to marry the man she so desperately loves. Her anguish is real, brought to life with glossy strings, sweeping vocal acrobatics and just the right amount of bittersweet harmony to bring a tear to your eye.
Anna Netrebko, Palacio Euskalduna de Bilbao
This is probably one of the most popular duets in opera. Traditionally a ‘barcolle’ is a folk song sung by gondoliers. Opera, Venice, gondolas – what could be more romantic?
Photo by Kazuo ota on Unsplash