Romantic Classical

Legendary lovers may not always end well, but they sure burn hot while the going is good — their passions have inspired many an equally fiery Classical work. French composer Gabriel Fauré underscores the dancing strings of his "Pelléas et Mélisande, Op. 80: La Fileuse (Andantino quasi allegretto)" with minor-key currents to hint at an ever-present specter of romantic doom. In Richard Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde: Liebestod," bereft Isolde famously sings of her poor, expired Tristan before joining him in the hereafter, while Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture: Love Theme" features a swelling crescendo of strings and winds that's become synonymous with the all-consuming power of new love.

What's your idea of the perfect Classical soundtrack to romance? Is it the dreamy, otherworldly piano of Claude Debussy's immortal "Rêverie"? The trilling flutes and caressing strings of the "Adagio for Spartacus and Phrygia," from Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian's ballet Spartacus? The regal waltz of Hector Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: II. Un Bal (Valse: Allegro Non Troppo)"? Maybe your notion of real romance is the fiery passions of Georges Bizet's famous gypsy Carmen and her Latin-tinged aria "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Havanaise)." It's no problem if you can't decide, or even if you're up for all of the above — we have the Classical cuts to suit all your in-the-mood moods.

Movie soundtracks, Broadway scores, even Irish folk tunes: like love itself, some of the greatest romantic music can come from surprising sources. Witness James Horner's theme "Rose," from the blockbuster Titanic — it's lovely on its own, and an out-and-out phenomenon as the melodic backbone to "My Heart Will Go On." When Leonard Bernstein composed the music to the landmark musical West Side Story, the famous composer/conductor also created one of the great odes to romantic expectation, "Tonight." Australian-born composer Percy Aldridge Grainger explored his fascination with rural country songs in "Irish Tune From Country Derry," and emerged with a tender, wistful love song.

From sweeping strings, bold brass, and thundering percussion to delicate winds or even just a lone instrument calling out for a partner, Classical music has the power to evoke all aspects of romance, be it tempestuous or tender, fiery or cozy and comfortable. From the tender, elegant melodies of Erik Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1" to the heartfelt operatic power of the Giacomo Puccini aria "O mio babbino caro," you'll find the perfect romantic soundtrack in our Romantic Classical Essentials, whether you're setting the scene to woo a new lover, settling in with a longtime partner for a quiet evening together, or dreaming of the special someone who'll complete your duet d'amour.