I lobbied semi-viciously for this month's Bibliotheca topic of romance, with this post already drafted in the grimiest crevices of my mind. The word "Romantic" means many things to many people: obviously, love is the foremost thought in mid-February, but Romance languages might have their place as well. However, as a recovering musician, Romantic brings to mind the excesses of 19th century European and Anglo-American art music.