Robin Spielberg

Robin Spielberg

ROBIN'S CRADLE SONGS
A Tragedy and a Miracle Inspire Pianist Robin Spielberg's Album of Lullabies
Robin Spielberg tickled the ivories in New York City piano lounges to make ends meet while she pursued her acting career. The multi-talented artist charmed audiences with her graceful treatment of Broadway show tunes, but it was her improvisations that inspired a devoted following. She financed her first album, HEAL OF THE HAND, in 1993, but after signing with North Star the next year, her fame started to snowball. In 1998, while recording MOTHER, Spielberg became pregnant with twins. But tragedy was waiting around the corner, and the miracle that followed eventually led to an album of lullabies. The pianist told Carol Wright, bn.com's new age editor, about how BEAUTIFUL DREAMER came to be.

barnesandnoble.com: Except for one song, BEAUTIFUL DREAMER is all traditional children's songs and lullabies, not the original music you usually record.

Robin Spielberg: Robin Spielberg: Well, certainly, my work as a composer has been reflective of my life. And synchronicity had a lot to do with this album.

While I was recording MOTHER, I became pregnant. I began experiencing pre-term labor four months before the babies were due. I was hospitalized, and came very close to delivering several times. Fortunately, the doctors held off delivery through the use of medications, but the drugs almost paralyzed me, and even made me blind for awhile. When an infection presented itself, I had to deliver. Tragically, we lost one of the twins. Valerie, who was born weighing just over a pound, barely survived -- but she kept fighting through all the operations and transfusions.

While Valerie was in the hospital, we played music around the clock. We noticed that all babies within earshot of the music seemed to feel calmer, and we could see their vital signs improve on their monitors. Music and prayer is what pulled us through the four months of Valerie's intensive care. So, I decided to make an album for all the mothers in the world.

bn.com: How did you choose the songs?

RS: I grew up in a musical family. Now that I was a parent, I started to remember the songs I heard as a child. I woke up every day humming lullabies and children's songs such as "Puff the Magic Dragon." One favorite is "Lavender Blue"; I remember my mother singing it to me.

bn.com: The traditional folk song "The Water is Wide" really grabbed me. But it's not a children's song.

RS: I'm glad you were drawn to it. The lovers can't cross the river, yet they know the river is not as deep as their love. Together, my husband, Larry Kosson, and I helped each other row over the surface of our troubles.

bn.com: How's Valerie doing?

RS: Valerie is an inspiration. It's hard to remember when she was in an incubator and we fed her five calories at a time. She has a fun, upbeat disposition, and is very, very active.

bn.com: Does she tour with you?

RS: She comes on tours. She's all around the piano when I rehearse, and my husband plays guitar for her. She seems to really enjoy it all. We think she's going to be a party girl.

bn.com: What's next, musically?

RS: I'm writing music for two off-Broadway plays, and I have a new recording of original music called DREAMING OF SUMMER that's ready to go. It doesn't seem like it, but it's been four years since I recorded an all-original solo album. There's no lack of projects, but now, being a mom and with touring, I can't say yes to everything.

bn.com: Would it help if you could clone yourself?

RS: If I could clone myself, I could actually get some sleep! No, what the heck: I'll catch up on sleep in the cemetery. I don't think I'd want to have a clone.

bn.com: What albums would you take to a desert island?

RS: I would never make it to the island, because my luggage would sink the rowboat.