Champagne And Candlelight’... irresistible ingredients to evoke a romantic mood... tools that lead to hasty pledges, reckless promises and reluctant, sighing acquiescence. And when soft music is added to complete the picture – is there a nicer way to becloud one’s better judgment? As anyone familiar with his Decca albums will gladly testify, Bill Snyder is a master of this champagne-scented, candle-lit mood of romantic magic. The twelve melodies of this record are served up with the same dazzling technique and stylistic mastery, and enhanced further by a shimmering orchestral setting. There’s a variety of moods ranging from the blue-tinged Morning In Manhattan to the unabashed sentimentality of Gypsy Moonlight, from the sophisticated Theme For A Starlet to the languorous Moontide. In Candlelight and Once Upon A Star the golden flame of enchantment bursts forth with some sweet-flowing piano raptures, and the captivating allure is furthered by Read My Heart, Lovable One and Close Your Eyes. The inspired blending of keyboard artistry and the orchestral finesse of strings and woodwinds is perpetuated in the haunting My Love and Caress, and the ever-popular Intermezzo seems to sum up the emotions of two people in love. Alfredo Antonini conducts the orchestra and you many be sure that the romantic mood as spelled out in these Snyder arrangements, is a long way from somnolence – there’s always the refreshing presence of an underlying beat. Here, then, is Bill Snyder adding his distinctive musical touch to ‘Champagne And Candlelight’ for your romance, reflection – or relaxation.