Baby Einstein: Traveling Melodies (by Classical)

TRAVELING MELODIES is a new "Concert for Little Ears" from the Baby Einstein Music Collection. It contains 20 short up-tempo versions of both familiar and not-so-familiar classical selections played by the aptly named Music Box Orchestra. The CD begins with a swirly and peaceful orchestral tune-up followed by a cymbal crash heralding the beginning of Smetana's "Bartered Bride." Compositions include a selection from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," and pieces by Schubert, Mozart, and other well-known composers. Standouts are "Fandango" by Rimsky-Korsakov, Haydn's "Symphony 100," and Beethoven's "Piano Sonata 15."

The production on this album is clean and articulate; the musicianship good. But the sound overall is synthetic and thin. Many of the pieces have metronome-perfect timing reminiscent of a circus calliope. Listeners may miss the lower tonalities, and those expecting full-timbered instruments will be disappointed. This album will entertain young children while on the road or at play and introduce a sampling of the classics. But parents may prefer more fully orchestrated recordings with broader appeal for the whole family.

Released on: May 17, 2005
Label: Disney
Genre: Classical