Measures Of Affection: Five Musical Love Letters

If you've ever written a love letter, you know it's not easy. Amid a swirl of emotions, balancing elegant language and hormone-fueled passion can be tricky. Composers for centuries have skirted this problem by doing what comes naturally — writing their love letters in the language of music. Here are five passionate outpourings in melody and harmony.

Do you have a favorite musical love letter? Have you ever written one? How was it received? Tell us about it in the comments section.