“Children need lullabies and they need to be exposed to classical music, so we combined the two,” explains Susan Davis, who with her husband, Eric, recorded the album NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP featuring Susan on violin and Eric on acoustic classical guitar.  “But unlike previous albums of classical music for children, we decided to select only legitimate lullabies written by traditional classical composers.”

Possibly the first recording of its kind, NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP contains classical lullaby melodies by some of history’s most-renowned composers -- Johannes Brahms, Peter Jlyich Tchaikovsky, Robert Schumann, Edvard Grieg and Felix Mendelssohn.  In addition, the Davis duo selected two modern-day neo-classical tunes – George Gershwin’s 1935 classic “Summertime” originally sung by a mother to her child in the famous musical “Porgy and Bess,” and Richard and Robert Sherman’s “Hushabye Mountain” from the stage and screen musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”  There also are rediscovered classical lullaby melodies by less-famous composers such as Edward Jakobowski, Manuel de Falla and Carl Maria von Weber.  NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP is available in quality book and record stores nationwide as well as online at sites such as amazon.com, childmusiconline.com, digital download locations and the record company’s verdictentertainment.com.

“Instead of simply selecting pretty, soft, classical music pieces, we did some in-depth research to specifically find music composed as lullabies or with children in mind,” states Susan.  “Some of the song titles, even when in a foreign language, make the composer’s intention clear.  Brahms’ ‘Sandmannchen’ means ‘The Little Sandman.’  Schumann’s ‘Traumerei’ means ‘Dreaming’ in German, and his ‘Kind im Einschlummern’ is ‘Child Falling Asleep.’  Brahms titled one piece ‘Wiegenlied,’ which means ‘Cradle Song’ or ‘Rocking Song,’ and Schumann’s ‘Wiegenliedchen’ is simply ‘Little Cradle Song.’  There also are tunes titled ‘Berceuse’ which similarly in French means ‘Rocking,’ as in rocking the cradle.  And, of course, we included Brahms’ famous ‘Cradle Song’.”

Even though the various pieces were composed for piano or ensembles, this acoustic contemporary instrumental CD features Eric and Susan’s original arrangements for guitar and violin (no other instruments appear on the recording).  “Although the sound of these two instruments blend beautifully, you don’t hear them together by themselves that often, especially performing classical material,” explains Eric.

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP was foremost created for young children, to relax and calm them, keep them still during “quiet time” or to help them fall asleep (the purpose of lullabies throughout the ages).  This classical music also can be played for babies (in the womb, new-borns and crib-kids).  Another benefit is that this music helps introduce youngsters to hauntingly-beautiful classical music melodies that will probably stay with them their entire lives and may influence them to either become classical music lovers or musicians.  But this album has an additional important aspect to it.  Since this is not “cartoonish kiddie music,” it can be equally appreciated by listeners of all ages which is especially important for caregivers whether parents, relatives, teachers, day-care associates or babysitters.  For this reason, the music can be played again and again, no matter who is listening, without falling prey to the “adult burnout factor.”

It makes sense that Eric and Susan carefully thought-out this concept because they have been educators and have taught music to children both privately and in public schools.  In addition, both are well-educated in classical music.  Eric was the first guitarist to ever graduate with a Master’s Degree from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, while Susan has her Master’s Degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music at New York’s Queens College.  When not performing with Eric, Susan teaches string quartets; chamber, string and symphonic orchestra; and Fiddles on Fire (a fiddle and folk music group) at a Long Island, New York, high school.  Eric primarily works as a New York City session musician, but he taught elementary school children to play orchestral string instruments for several years.  In addition, after college Eric and Susan toured England extensively with their group Serenata (a violin, guitar and flute trio).

Eric studied under highly-respected classical guitarist Michael Lorimer for several years.  Eric also took classes from and performed for author and classical guitar pedagogue Aaron Shearer, classical guitar master Christopher Parkening, legendary 12-tone composer Milton Babbitt, and Juilliard guitarist and department head Sharon Isbin.  Eric has played with James Guffee (The Tories), Stanley Banks (George Benson), Christian McBride (Roy Hargrove, Freddie Hubbard), Nina Gordon (Veruca Salt), the Partch Ensemble, and the Juilliard Opera Center Orchestra under the direction of Julius Rudel.  Eric has recorded with folk-singer Lucy Kaplansky, Leslie Clemmons (toured nationally in “Les Miz”) and CJay Philip (starred in “Hairspray” on Broadway).  Acclaimed composers Christian Jost (Berlin Philharmonic) and Eric Funk have penned pieces specifically for Eric.  He has performed throughout the United States, Europe and South America including tours as a soloist and with recording artists Trio Sonata (guitar, flute and oboe).

Susan, who also is a singer, studied opera at Indiana University, studied with vocal teacher Dan Marek (New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera House) at both Syracuse University and the prestigious Mannes College of Music in New York City, and earned her Bachelors Degree in vocal music performance from Stony Brook University.  In college she performed and recorded under John Mallia.  Susan was a member of Manhattan Virtuosi (one of New York City’s top chamber orchestras under the direction of Marlon Daniel), and worked under conductor Wendy Bobbitt Cavett (Broadway’s “Scarlet Pimpernel”).  Susan also has performed with singer Leslie Clemmons.  Susan played in “Hogan’s Goat,” an off-Broadway Irish melodrama at the Nat Horne Theatre that featured her performing considerable Celtic fiddle music.

Susan, who grew up on Long Island, was singing from an early age.  She also began piano lessons at age five, started studying violin when she was nine, and pursued vocal performance throughout her school years.  As a teenager, she was selected to attend the New York Summer State of the Arts program that included coaching from members of the Philadelphia orchestra, performing under the direction of Russell Stanger, and appearing at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  Susan’s classical inspiration comes from classical composers such as Brahms and Dvorak, and modern performers that include violinists Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern, Joshua Bell and Midori.  However, Susan also admires composers like George Gershwin and Cole Porter, jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, and singers Manhattan Transfer, Barbra Streisand, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan.

Eric, born and raised in Portland, Oregon, was the son of a trumpet player and professional band-leader (his father also was a music educator and music store owner).  Eric first picked up an acoustic guitar when he was five and started taking lessons at seven.  A few years later he joined his school’s jazz band, began classical guitar lessons as a freshman in high school, played in rock bands, and earned money performing in his father’s big band on weekends.  Eric earned his Bachelor’s Degree in music performance at San Francisco’s Conservatory of Music studying under David Tannenbaum.  Eric’s love of Brazilian music led him to study the Portuguese language by living with a family in Ipanema for a year.  Eric gave guitar lessons to actress Tatum O’Neal and tennis pro John McEnroe.  Eric’s varied influences include Brazilian musicians The Assads, Caetano Veloso and Antonio Carlos Jobim; jazz players Joe Pass and Oscar Peterson; rock acts from the Police to U2; and classical guitarists Parkening, Lorimer, John Williams and Julian Bream.

Well-educated in classical music, Eric and Susan Davis also enjoy performing jazz, bluegrass, folk and pop music.  With his session work, Eric has expanded his musicality to include playing steel-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, dobro and banjo on both country and rock recordings.

In discussing NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP, Eric says, “This is music we like personally, but it translates to a relaxing and enjoyable listening experience for children.  On a practical level there is always the need for lullabies, for bedtime music that is soft-spoken in nature.  This music also is a good match for our instruments.  Violin and acoustic guitar together create a very warm and intimate sound, delicate, quiet, gentle, but deeply moving.  This instrumentation really lends itself to the performance of lullabies.”

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