The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's compilation of verdant classics, In the Garden, is a pleasant album of short lyrical pieces that reflect the calming feeling of being in a serene place. Whether that place happens to be outdoors or in the comfort of one's living room, this album is full of perennials that set a soothing atmosphere. Some of the selections are directly associated with nature, such as Muriel Johnstone's gentle piece for fiddle and piano, Lydia's Garden;
Percy Grainger's ethereal Beautiful Fresh Flower; or
Ivor Novello's poignant song, We'll Gather Lilacs, but most of the tracks are indirectly connected to a garden ambience and more abstractly connected with moods of relaxation and reverie. Certainly Pachelbel's ubiquitous Canon in D major and Bach's Air on the G String are associated with gardens by way of their frequent use in outdoor weddings, and the inclusion of Grieg's Morning Mood and
Elgar's Chanson de matin can be justified simply by their evocative titles. But the exactness of the fit for some pieces, such as Handel's Largo from Serse or the Adagio from Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, is not as important as the appropriateness of their gorgeous melodies, and most listeners will accept the whole package as an enjoyable relaxation disc. The roster of artists lists many leading Australian performers and orchestras, and the disc serves double-duty as a sampler of several ABC releases.