[Waehnen]

What are the most soothing, relaxing and stress relieving CM works/recordings you know?

I am on a short education trip abroad and have had to wake up early and be social to everybody for the whole day. Now I have a glass of chardonnay -- and what am I listening to?

Sibelius´ 6th Symphony in D, conducted by Paavo Berglund, performed by the CBSO.

For me there is nothing as relaxing or soothing as this. When I am for the moment fed up with the voice of the western individualism, I just cannot listen to whatever Sturm und Drang. The focus of the music needs to be outside the "Western Hero".

The only other piece of music I can think of at the moment that does the same is Beethoven´s Piano Sonata no. 15 in D major, op 28. "Pastoral".

(Maybe there is something about D-major and D-dorian modality that relaxes me.)

There must be many others as well. I just cannot think of any atm. I am just so tired -- and deeply grateful for these wonderful pieces of music.

 

[Neo Romanza]

I wish you would post in the "Currently Listening" thread, which is a thread that I enjoy and remain active in. There's always some lively conversation going on there. A shame you can't let people know what recordings or works you've been listening to.

 

[Waehnen]

I wish you would post in the "Currently Listening" thread, which is a thread that I enjoy and remain active in. There's always some lively conversation going on there. A shame you can't let people know what recordings or works you've been listening to.

Thanks, Neo -- I will consider that. I have no particular reason not to post on that thread. For some reason I also skip the Composer Guestbooks. I have no explanation for this behavior.

 

[Neo Romanza]

Thanks, Neo -- I will consider that. I have no particular reason not to post on that thread. For some reason I also skip the Composer Guestbooks. I have no explanation for this behavior.

I think you make some interesting commentary on this forum (whether I agree with it or not) and you always put much thought into your posts, especially when it's about a composer you've been really digging into and exploring. This is why I believe you would be an invaluable asset to the 'Currently Listening' thread.

 

[MatthewWeflen]

I find Beethoven's 6th consistently transporting, relaxing, and uplifting.

I also am quite partial to Sibelius.

 

[Waehnen]

I think you make some interesting commentary on this forum (whether I agree with it or not) and you always put much thought into your posts, especially when it's about a composer you've been really digging into and exploring. This is why I believe you would be an invaluable asset to the 'Currently Listening' thread.

Thanks, Neo! I also must say that you have a very big heart and mind for great music and I have much enjoyed your depth and dedication to this wonderful art.

(Also, I much admire your attitude "you ain´t no saint". It is OK to disagree and sometimes be angry at something/somebody and maybe even have a little quarrel. We are dealing with things that are so very important to us all. So no worries! We smile the next day, if not earlier. We are only human -- let´s embrace it! This is actually an important lesson I have learnt from YOU.)

 

[PeterKC]

 

[PeterKC]

Your question reminded me of an Old New Yorker Cartoon.

 

[Neo Romanza]

I'm not sure about 'relaxing' but Debussy and Sibelius are two composers that can help put my mind at ease rather quickly after a stressful day. I think a lot of it has to do with their approaches. Both seem to favor a more softer hued color palette.

 

[Chilham]

Schubert's String Quartet No. 13 "Rosamunde". I'm listening to it right now. Very relaxing.

Hope you find the peace you're looking for.

 

[PeterKC]

Most of Delius.

 

[Coach G]

Rachmaninoff's Vespers/All Night Vigil

 

[Kjetil Heggelund]

Mischa Maisky has 2 albums I love, Vocalise and Songs without Words, one with sad Russian music and one with Schubert.

 

[jegreenwood]

When I started listening to classical it was Rampal playing Handel Flute Sonatas. Now - and this is almost a guilty pleasure - it's Parkening plays Bach (but only the original 10 tracks).

 

[EvaBaron]

Most of Delius.

Because it’s so boring

 

[Simplicissimus]

My approach is to consider first whether I am 1) listening alone, 2) listening with people at least receptive to CM, or 3) listening with non-CM listeners (who will need to listen nevertheless to CM, because it's my space). Alone, it's Sib, Mahler, Hindemith, or if I'm blotto, Early Music all the way. With CM-receptive companions, it's Albeniz, de Falla, J. Strauss waltzes (especially in warm weather with beer), Delius, RVW, Finzi, Tchaikovsky ballet suites, and instrumental Early Music (leaning on Munrow and Brüggen) -- though this is the most interesting and fun kind of musical conviviality, and can lead to Morton Gould, Jazz, American Songbook, and German and Mongolian folk music; and 3) Copland, Brahms Hungarian dances and Dvorak Slavonic dances, John Williams, Bernard Herrmann, encore violin pieces, and Carmina Burana (surprisingly acceptable). My dear wife and I love entertaining, and we put sincere effort into our musical offerings.

 

[Roger Knox]

Previously, I put together a succession of four orchestral works by Charles Koechlin for getting to sleep (surprisingly pronounced "KAY-cla," thank you Josquin13):

Preparing for sleep with Charles Koechlin

From information on Charles Koechlin contributed by josquin13 for the Unheralded French Composers thread, here is a sequence of four of Koechlin's orchestral compositions that I have found have a calming effect in the hour before I go to bed. Anywhere from one piece to all four in succession...

www.talkclassical.com

They may work here also.

 

[Prodromides]

When I am for the moment fed up with the voice of the western individualism, I just cannot listen to whatever Sturm und Drang..

How about the voice of station WWWaehnen - easy 101 for CM in Britain and Finland.

Patrick O'Neal formerly was the voice of burnt-out westerners about 40 years ago:

 

[PathfinderCS]

For me; you can't get anymore soothing than the Requiem Masses by Faure and Durufle. The soft, contemplative nature just...make me feel as if there really is a kind, caring deity out there and he/she lifts me up and comforts me when I most need it.

 

[Tarneem]

Bach's Little fugue 💗