How to Create a Romantic Mood With Classical Music

Beautiful music can create a mood and inspire romance. Whether you're planning an evening of conversation and wine, a special dinner or an intimate rendezvous, choosing just the right music can enhance the experience. Have a listen before the special occasion and tailor your own memorable collection of romantic classical music.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Consider opera. Choose the arias "Quando M'en Vo" from "La Boheme" or "Nessun Dorma" from "Turandot," both by Puccini. Listen to the newest tenor sensation, Britain's Paul Potts. Do a little research and share the moving, romantic stories behind the operas.

2. Invite Debussy and his piano to dinner. Add "The Girl With Flaxen Hair" and "Clare de Lune" to the playlist, both pleasing and familiar classics with a light touch and romantic air.

3. Round out the piano collection with easy pieces like Chopin's "Nocturne for Piano in E Flat Major (Op. 9/2 CT. 109), and Bach's "Goldberg Variations, BWV 988-Aria," and "Gymnopedie I" by Eric Satie. Round out the collection with "Serenade" by Franz Liszt and Rachmaninov's beautiful Prelude in G, Op.32, No.5.

4. Burn a CD with the romantic music of violins and strings. Check out Beethoven's "Violin Romance" and Vivaldi's "Violin Concerto in F Minor ("L'Inverno" from "The Four Seasons"). Listen to Mozart's violin and flute concertos and include those that are most appealing.

5. Add some drama with Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" or Bach's Cello Suites. Consider some of Telemann's oboe concertos and sonatas for background music with a lighter touch.

6. Visit iTunes to listen to music clips of classical pieces. Listen to the same piece by various artists. Download the most appealing to create a personalized CD of romantic classics.

Resources

• Source for music.
• Subscription source for classical music.
• Online radio broadcast of classical music.