Expert: David Froom - 9/10/2010

Question
Hello,

Thankyou for reading this message.

I was wondering if you might have information about this piece of music from the Ralph Lauren website?

http://www.ralphlaurenwatches.com/?ab=int_082410_MPURPLELP_WATCHES_EXPLORENOW

The music should start automatically and it is the piano piece that starts shortly after the introduction that I am enquiring about.

Thankyou,
Edward

Answer
I don't have information about this.  I am 99.99% certain that it is a piece composed just for this ad.  It sounds vaguely like a Nocturne by Chopin.  If you like it, you probably would like those works.  Also, you might like the Nocturnes by John Field (Chopin's approximate contemporary -- early 19th century).  I know those nocturnes, and this isn't one of them.  There are also some real stylistic anomalies, pointing to this being a modern imitation.  Of course, the anomalies don't matter, because the composer here is not being paid to do a strict imitation.  He/she is being asked simply to write a bit of moody music that catches that style.

So go explore the Field and Chopin Nocturnes.  There is a wider range of drama and expression in them, and some are quite stormy in places, but much of what you'll hear is sort of like this commercial music.

David Froom