Moreover it would be hard to complain about the performances. Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of Saint-Martin-in-the-Fields and Ricardo Muti, Maria Tipo and Cecile Ousset, the Choir of King's College, Cambridge and the Tallis Scholars are all world class musicians. Their performances are excellent and tasteful. That they are willing to let their work be associated with James' work may upset others, but If they have no problem with having their work used in this way, who am I to cry shame?
All told there are 15 tracks on the album, all selected by E.L.James, who says, "I am thrilled that the classical pieces that inspired me while I wrote the Fifty Shades Trilogy are being brought together in one collection for all lovers of the books." She has said in interviews that she listens to classical music when she writes about erotic activity and she listens when she engages in it. Presumably these are the pieces that get the best results, both in terms of prose and passion. These are pieces that have made their way into the fiber of her novels.
For fans of her novels, that will be more than enough. For those yet to crack the spine, the album may well add some romance to spice up its sadomasochism. For those who have no intention of reading any of the grey shades, the album will make for an hour or so of fine music. It is impossible to look at the track listing—Bach's Aria from The Goldberg Variations, the Prelude from Verdi's La Traviata, a Chopin nocturne and a prelude, Vaughn Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis," just to name a few others—and not find gorgeous music you can't help but enjoy hearing. And if you must read while you listen, you can always try Anna Karenina.
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