Angel Heart: A Music Storybook

PreS-Gr 3—Creators Lisa Delan (soprano) and Luna Pearl Woolf collaborated to make the kind of recording they wanted to hear as they tucked their children in at night. Woolf composed background instrumental music, contacted Cornelia Funke to write the story, and brought in professional cello and mandolin musicians to perform the music. They also compiled traditional and original pieces of music which are woven into the progression of the story. Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons narrates the lyrical tale in soft, mellow tones, as he reads about Rahmiel, the angel of love and compassion, who discovers Luna mourning beside a pond, her heart broken into a thousand pieces. Rahmiel guides her to the spirits of the North, East, West, and South in a quest to mend her broken heart. The vocalists, all of opera singer caliber, give soft and soothing performances for the songs, which are performed in a classic, symphonic style. The Children's Choir of St. Martin de Porres School also lends its angelic voices. The songs include "All Through the Night," "Mother Nature's Son" (Lennon-McCartney), "Danny Boy," "Je Porte Ma Lanterne Jolie" (traditional), "14 Angels" (Engelbert Humperdink), "Ho Ho Watanay" (traditional), "Russian Lullaby" (Irving Berlin), "Sleep, Baby, Sleep," and five more. The accompanying booklet includes the illustrated text of the story and the lyrics for all the songs (for songs in a foreign language, both the original language and an English translation are provided). A beautiful, sophisticated lullaby concert for little ones that expertly interweaves story and songs.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX