Once Upon A Time...
D. S. Thurlow | Alaska | 06/17/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Romance novelist Jane Austen, during her later years at Chawton Cottage in Hampshire, is said to have practiced on the pianoforte each morning before settling down to write. "Jane Austen Entertains" reproduces several period pieces from Austen's handcopied collection of music, suitable for pianoforte, some with flute and/or voice accompaniment.
The selections on this CD were actually recorded in Jane Austen's house. The result captures in a fairly authentic way the kind of home entertainment available to ordinary people of Jane Austen's day, long before record players, television, and other electronic media. The selections themselves are simple 18th and early 19th century songs and country airs, meant to entertain gatherings of family and friends. These types of gatherings play a key role in some of Jane Austen's novels, particularly "Emma", and fans of the derivative movies will have seen these gatherings, at which people took turns playing and singing. Austen is said to have played for friends and relatives. The degree of her personal proficiency on the pianoforte is not known.
"Jane Austen Entertains" is recommended to fans of Jane Austen and of the era as both pleasant music and a bit of insight into the time and the place."
Just OK
Janell B. Rimington | Perry, UT | 10/07/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Moderately enjoyable. The music was not quite what I expected. The sound editing needed work, too. Sometimes, I have to turn the sound up to max in order to hear the flute, etc. and then the next song is a vocal and I have to turn the sound down again. Annoying to have to fiddle with the volume constantly."