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Book Playlist
History of the Caliph Vathek Playlist
35 tracks
balanced
Jul 20, 2026
This playlist captures the exotic, darkly fantastical, and tragic tone of William Beckford's "History of the Caliph Vathek," blending classical and neo-classical compositions that evoke the mystical Arabian Nights atmosphere and the Caliph's descent into doom. The instrumental tracks reflect the eerie, nocturnal, and opulent settings of the narrative, while the vocal selections mirror the character complexities, moral ambiguities, and the overarching themes of ambition, decadence, and supernatural terror.
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Track List
35 songs
1
2 Arabesques, CD 74: No. 1, Andantino con moto
Claude Debussy · Debussy: Early and Late Piano Pieces
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2
Iberia: Book 1 No. 1, Evocación
Isaac Albéniz · Granados: Goyescas - Albéniz: Iberia
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3
In a Landscape
John Cage · Der Bote
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4
Rêverie, L. 68
Claude Debussy · Debussy: Estampes; Pour le piano; 6 épigraphes antiques
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5
Spiegel im spiegel
Arvo Pärt · Arvo Pärt: Portrait
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6
Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude
Johann Sebastian Bach · Anner Bylsma plays Cello Suites and Sonatas
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7
Gnossienne No. 3. Lent - Musical Moments
Erik Satie · Satie: Gnossienne No. 3. Lent (Musical Moments)
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8
The Lark Ascending
Ralph Vaughan Williams · Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
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9
Fratres for Violin and Piano
Arvo Pärt · 久石譲 presents ミュージック・フューチャーⅥ
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10
Gymnopédie No. 2
Erik Satie · Erik Satie & Friends
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11
Le Onde
Ludovico Einaudi · 12 Songs From Home
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12
Pavane, Op. 50
Gabriel Fauré · The Secret Fauré 2
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13
Nocturne in C-sharp minor, B. 49
Frédéric Chopin · Chopin: Complete Nocturnes
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14
Clair de lune
Claude Debussy · Träumerei - Liebestraum - Für Elise - Clair de lune - Gymnopédie - Sony Classical Masters
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15
Reverie
Claude Debussy · Debussy: Piano Music, Vol. 5
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16
Adagio for Strings
Samuel Barber · Classic
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17
The Hours
Philip Glass · The Hours (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack)
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18
Gnossienne No. 1
Erik Satie · Gnossienne No. 1
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19
Mysteries
Beth Gibbons · Out Of Season
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20
Desert Rose
Sting · Brand New Day
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21
Come Wander with Me
Jeff Alexander · Late Night Tales: Air
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22
Dark Paradise
Lullabye Baby Ensemble · Lullaby Tribute to Lana Del Rey
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23
Love And Hate - Live
Michael Kiwanuka · Out Loud! (RSD 2018 / Live)
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24
Into Dust
Mazzy Star · So Tonight That I Might See
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25
A Fond Wish
Lisa Lynne · Weaving Worlds
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26
Devil's Backbone
The Civil Wars · The Civil Wars
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27
The Curse (Live)
Josh Ritter · Live at the Iveagh Gardens
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28
Wicked Game
Chris Isaak · Heart Shaped World
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29
Brave
Sara Bareilles · The Blessed Unrest
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30
Young And Beautiful
Lana Del Rey · Young And Beautiful
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31
Shake It Out
Florence + The Machine · Ceremonials
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32
Breathe Me
Sia · Colour The Small One
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33
Runaway
AURORA · All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend (Deluxe)
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34
I Put A Spell On You
Nina Simone · I Put A Spell On You
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