It’s a tough road to get where you’re going nowadays – and Delos has created a wonderful new collection, including a delightful bonus, to help make the trip a little easier. Serene Journeys is a specially priced 3-CD set packaged in a 6-CD carrying case, carefully programmed with the most relaxing classical music. This tranquil collection is unique among “mood” compilations in featuring acclaimed classical artists, such as Carol Rosenberger, Voices of Ascension, the Dallas Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony, all in a value-priced three-disc gift package. Selections include the familiar, such as Barber’s Adagio [Agnus Dei], piano selections of Debussy, the Mozart Clarinet concerto, as well as other less familiar works which will help educate and enrich the listener while expanding his knowledge of the classical repertoire.

Disc One Serene Symphony
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6,”Pastorale,” Scene by the Brook [12:28] Gerard Schwarz, conductor – New York Chamber Symphony
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty, Panorama [3:23] Andrew Litton, conductor – Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K. 622, Allegro [7:57] David Shifrin, clarinet – Gerard Schwarz, conductor – Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Bizet-Shchedrin: The Carmen Ballet, Second Intermezzo [2:11] James DePreist, conductor – Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Dvorak: Notturno (Intermezzo from String Quintet, Op. 77) [5:00] Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: Joseph Silverstein & Ani Kavafian, violins; Paul Neubauer, viola; Gary Hoffman, cello; Edgar Meyer, contrabass
Mozart: Symphony No. 40, Andante [7:21] Gerard Schwarz, conductor – Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Grieg: Nocturne (from Lyric Suite, Op. 54) [4:20] Gerard Schwarz, conductor – Seattle Symphony
Haydn: Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Major, Un poco adagio [8:21] Carol Rosenberger, piano – Gerard Schwarz, conductor – Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Hovhaness: Bagatelle, Op. 30 No. 1 [2:05] The Shanghai String Quartet
Traditional Scottish: Wild Mountain Thyme (arr. Scott Tennant) [2:05] Scott Tennant, guitar
Hanson: Symphony No. 3, Andante tranquillo [8:51] Gerard Schwarz, conductor – Seattle Symphony
Haydn: Cello Concerto in D Major, Adagio [5:21] Janos Starker, cello – Gerard Schwarz, conductor – Scottish Chamber Orchestra Total Playing Time: 69:22

Disc Two Serene Piano
Debussy: Arabesque No. 1 [4:21]
Chopin: Mazurka Op. 17, No. 4 in A Minor [5:05]
Liszt: Au lac de Wallenstadt (By the Lake at Wallenstadt) [3:28]
Debussy: Bruyeres (Heather) [3:25]
Chopin: Berceuse (Cradle Song), Op. 57 [5:05]
Faure: Nocturne No. 8 in D Flat, Op. 84 [3:46]
Liszt: Sancta Dorothea (1877) [3:35]
Ravel: Pavane pour une Infante defunte [7:25]
Schumann: Romance in F-sharp, Op. 28, No. 2 [4:17]
Haydn: Andante from Sonata in A, Hob. XVI:12 [5:57]
Bach: Sarabande from French Suite No. 5 in G [5:50]
Ravel: Menuet from Le Tombeau de Couperin [5:28]
Schumann: Traumerei from Kinderszenen, Op. 15 [3:14]
Griffes: The Lake at Evening, Op. 5, No. 1 [3:28]
Liszt: Consolation III in D Flat [4:35]
Carol Rosenberger, Bosendorfer Imperial Concert Grand Piano
Total Playing Time: 71:00

Disc Three Serene Voices
Invitation to Prayer [0:20]
Palestrina: Jesu Rex admirabilis (Jesus, wonderful king) [1:46]
J.S. Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (from Cantata No. 147) [3:24]
Durufle: Sanctus (from Requiem, Op. 9) [3:29]
Holst: Ave Maria [4:47]
Bach-Gounod: Ave Maria [3:03]
Victoria: Ave Maria [3:05]
Brahms: Chorale Prelude, Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele, Op. 122, No. 5 (Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness) [2:14]
Barber: Agnus Dei (Transcribed from Adagio, Op. 11) [6:56]
Dvorak: Tui nati vulnerati (Of your wounded son) from Stabat Mater, Op. 58 [5:03]
William H. Harris: Prelude in E-Flat [2:27]
Farrant: Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake [1:47]
Byrd: Rejoice, rejoice [0:57]
J.S. Bach: Air on the G String (from Suite in D) arr. Edward Shippen Barnes [5:44]
Durufle: Kyrie (from Requiem, Op. 9) [4:06]
Bruckner: Gradual: Os justi (The mouth of the righteous) [4:20]
Brahms: O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen (Blessed are ye faithful souls) [1:50]
Handel: He Shall Feed His Flock (from Messiah) [6:26]
Byrd: Justorum animae (The souls of the righteous) [3:01]
Peter Hallock: Let my Prayer come up as the Incense [2:34]

artists: Voices of Ascension chorus and orchestra -Dennis Keene, conductor -Mark Kruczek, organ St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral Choir -Donald Pearson, conductor -Eric Plutz, organ Westminster Choir (Joseph Flummerfelt, director) -New Jersey Symphony -Zdenek Macal, conductor Todd Wilson, Aeolian-Skinner Organ, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta Robert Noehren, D. F. Pilzecker Organ, Church of St. Jude, Detroit, Michigan Vinson Cole, tenor -Patrick Stephens, piano Arleen Auger, soprano -Mostly Mozart Orchestra – Gerard Schwarz, conductor