The day comes to an end: light fades, darkness comes, and it is time for little ones to go to bed. The mother or father sits by the cradle, rocking it gently from side to side and singing a quiet song. Eyes close and sleep descends. Another day is over.

This traditional scene has inspired many composers and musicians all over the world. Every country has lullabies, and classical composers have had direct experience of the lulling effect, remembered from childhood or felt as parents. They have written music to sing, to play, to hum. Sometimes it is music specifically for the bedside; sometimes it is to evoke the atmosphere in the concert hall; and sometimes it is to tell a story on the stage – in a ballet or an opera.

But the character of the music is unmistakeable: a warm melody based on a quietly rocking rhythm, safe and enveloping. Here is a collection of some of the best-known and most effective lullabies.

Naxos Global Distribution Ltd :

Naxos Records is the world's leading classical music label as measured by the number of new recordings it releases and the depth and breadth of its catalogue. Naxos was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born entrepreneur based in Hong Kong. Under his continuing stewardship, Naxos has developed from being known primarily as a budget label focusing on standard repertoire into a global music group comprising a raft of downloading and streaming platforms, a significant catalogue of multimedia products, a vast international logistics network, a recording engineering arm, a publications division, and a licensing department.

Music Tracks and Information:

TR 1 ( 00:02:12 ) 5 Lieder, Op. 49: No. 4. Wiegenlied (Lullaby) (arr. for orchestra)

Composer: Brahms, Johannes | Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Breiner, Peter

TR 2 ( 00:06:26 ) A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61, MWV M13, Act III: Nocturne

Composer: Mendelssohn, Felix | Performer: Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra; Bramall, Anthony

TR 3 ( 00:02:43 ) Kinderszenen (Scenes of childhood), Op. 15: VII. Träumerei (Dreaming)

Composer: Schumann, Robert | Performer: Jandó, Jenő

TR 4 ( 00:05:21 ) Berceuse, Op. 16

Composer: Fauré, Gabriel | Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Clark, Keith

TR 5 ( 00:06:12 ) Nocturne No. 8 in D-Flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2

Composer: Chopin, Fryderyk | Performer: Biret, Idil

TR 6 ( 00:04:26 ) Chanson de nuit, Op. 15, No. 1

Composer: Elgar, Edward | Performer: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; Judd, James

TR 7 ( 00:04:25 ) Lyric Pieces, Book 5, Op. 54: No. 4. Nocturne

Composer: Grieg, Edvard | Performer: Steen-Nøkleberg, Einar

TR 8 ( 00:03:07 ) 2 Pieces, Op. posth., B. 188: No. 1. Lullaby in G Major

Composer: Dvořák, Antonín | Performer: Veselka, Stefan

TR 9 ( 00:04:26 ) Suite bergamasque: III. Clair de lune (arr. A. Reed for orchestra)

Composer: Debussy, Claude | Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Clark, Keith

TR 10 ( 00:02:32 ) Album for the Young, Op. 39: No. 21. Sweet Dreams (Douce rêverie)

Composer: Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Il'yich | Performer: Biret, Idil

TR 11 ( 00:02:04 ) Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 6, Op. 67: No. 36 in E Major, Op. 67, No. 6, MWV U188

Composer: Mendelssohn, Felix | Performer: Nagy, Péter

TR 12 ( 00:02:07 ) Wiegenlied, Op. 98, No. 2, D. 498 (arr. for orchestra)

Composer: Schubert, Franz | Performer: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Breiner, Peter

TR 13 ( 00:04:38 ) Berceuse in D-Flat Major, Op. 57

Composer: Chopin, Fryderyk | Performer: Biret, Idil

TR 14 ( 00:04:13 ) Book of Songs, Book 1: Come, heavy sleep

Composer: Dowland, John | Performer: Rickards, Steven; Linell, Dorothy

TR 15 ( 00:04:25 ) Rêverie

Composer: Debussy, Claude | Performer: Thiollier, François-Joël