Your Nerve-Soothing Composer of Choice

[Florestan]

I've had a very hectic, stressful and nerve-wracking week. Without going into much detail, both my father-in-law and my father have ongoing health problems and they live in different cities. Waking up at 4:30 AM, driving 100 kms and then in the evening driving them back has been my daily lot for the last five days. Tomorrow will be the same except the waking hour.

It goes without saying that at night I needed music to soothe my nerves and calm my soul. Of all I have tried, Mozart included, Chopin is the only composer that did the trick. Listening earlier this afternoon to the mazurkas (Ashkenazy) I really felt relaxed, detached and calm; all my worries were washed away and I was floating in a state of bliss. The mere fact of remembering that hour gives me pleasure so I'll probably be listening exclusively to Chopin in the next few days.

Now, Chopin is already on my top three composers list (alongside Mozart and Schubert) but I never knew until today that he can have such a therapeutic effect in such stressful moments. From now on he'll be my one and only choice in cases of extreme stress.

Do you have your own choice for such cases? I'd be very interested in them.

Cheers, folks, and good health to you and all your loved ones!

[Mandryka]

https://www.youtube.com/v/Vf2BQtMQNgs


https://www.youtube.com/v/mSzVGz8ZFXY

[Symphonic Addict]

Last year on Christmas I tried something different to my usual repertoire in order to have a bit of relief. And I thought it was effective: Bagatelles for piano by Valentin Silvestrov. This is music of such simplicity and melancholy that put me in a calm mood. In spite of the music sounds sad, it's relaxing. Really moving little pieces.

[ritter]

I'm sorry to hear about the tough times your enduring, Andrei, and hope things improve swiftly and satisfactorily.

Schubert is for me too the first name that comes to mind.

I know it's not your cup of tea, but many years ago, when I was going through a very rough patch on a personal level, I distinctly remember playing (in the dark) Luigi Dallapiccola's Cori di Michelangelo Buonarroti il giovane and Canti di Prigionia, and it had a soothing effect hard to describe. Then "war alles, alles wieder gut". 

[Florestan]

Thank you all for your interesting replies and especially ritter for the much appreciated kind and encouraging words.

I'll offer my comments later today (it's already Sunday in Romania) in the evening, a glass of wine in hand (just as I wrote the OP).

[ritter]

And this will be right up your alley, Andrei. I'm sure you know the original, but perhaps not this lovely transcription:

https://www.youtube.com/v/jti0u9_UdDA&feature=share

[mc ukrneal]

Chopin would be my first choice too. Another that has potential is Galuppi.

Hope everyone recovers as best as possible....

[amw]

Mozart has always been this for me; his music makes sense and fits together in a way that no one else's does, at least in terms of how it impacts my mental health and well-being. JS Bach also sometimes works as does certain music by Cage (especially the number pieces) and Reich's Music for 18 Musicians.

[Daverz]

Of contemporary composers, I highly commend the music of Tõnu Kõrvits.  This ECM disc is a good start

[asin] B01BPHH2KW[/asin]   

[Karl Henning]

One would be Morton Feldman

[Karl Henning]

I've had a very hectic, stressful and nerve-wracking week. Without going into much detail, both my father-in-law and my father have ongoing health problems and they live in different cities. Waking up at 4:30 AM, driving 100 kms and then in the evening driving them back has been my daily lot for the last five days. Tomorrow will be the same except the waking hour.

It goes without saying that at night I needed music to soothe my nerves and calm my soul. Of all I have tried, Mozart included, Chopin is the only composer that did the trick. Listening earlier this afternoon to the mazurkas (Ashkenazy) I really felt relaxed, detached and calm; all my worries were washed away and I was floating in a state of bliss. The mere fact of remembering that hour gives me pleasure so I'll probably be listening exclusively to Chopin in the next few days.

Now, Chopin is already on my top three composers list (alongside Mozart and Schubert) but I never knew until today that he can have such a therapeutic effect in such stressful moments. From now on he'll be my one and only choice in cases of extreme stress.

Do you have your own choice for such cases? I'd be very interested in them.

Cheers, folks, and good health to you and all your loved ones!

Coraggio!

[Mirror Image]

Debussy for me. Not only is he my favorite composer, but he's also a composer whose music is like a soothing balm after a difficult day.

[Holden]

I also would like to wish your respective fathers a speedy recovery. Your dedication to your family is admirable.

As far as the the music goes I'm with San Antone - Bach keyboard works for both piano and pipe organ.

[SimonNZ]

Bach for me also - but the choral works

[Florestan]

Hope everyone recovers as best as possible....

Coraggio!

I also would like to wish your respective fathers a speedy recovery. Your dedication to your family is admirable.

Thank you, guys, much appreciated.

Bach: even on piano I can take it only on small doses. Don't ask me why, it's just the way it is.

Mozart: too energetic, the last thing I need is getting excited.

Schubert: this might indeed work as well as Chopin.

Galuppi: interesting choice; his keyboard sonatas (on piano) might indeed have potential.

Silvestrov: never heard the Bagatelles, sounds promising, must investigate.

Debussy: now that I think about it, can be a good choice too.

Tõnu Kõrvits: never heard about him. I'll see what I can find.

I'm afraid Dallapiccola and Feldman are not my cup of tea but I'll give them a try to see if I change my opinion.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Now I'm off to my father in Bucharest, be back later today.

[Florestan]

And this will be right up your alley, Andrei. I'm sure you know the original, but perhaps not this lovely transcription:

https://www.youtube.com/v/jti0u9_UdDA&feature=share

The video doesn't play (unavailable). What is it?

[ritter]

The video doesn't play (unavailable). What is it?

It's Friedrich Gulda's transcription of "Giunse alfin il momento...Deh, vieni, non tardar".

When you hit play, a sign saying "play on YouTube" should appear, and there you can watch it.

Here's the complete link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jti0u9_UdDA

[vandermolen]

All strength to you and your loved ones Andrei. I hope that things turn out for the best.

Off the top of my head:

I find the 'Christchild's Lullabye' from Novak's 'Eight Nocturnes for Voice and Orchestra' to be especially comforting and consoling - but I'll give it more thought later.

Also, Boult's Lyrita Finzi disc comes to mind:

[Florestan]

All strength to you and your loved ones Andrei. I hope that things turn out for the best.

Off the top of my head:

I find the 'Christchild's Lullabye' from Novak's 'Eight Nocturnes for Voice and Orchestra' to be especially comforting and consoling - but I'll give it more thought later.

Also, Boult's Lyrita Finzi disc comes to mind:

Thank you, Jeffrey, bot for the enocuragement and the recommendations.

[Christo]

All strength to you and your loved ones Andrei. I hope that things turn out for the best.

Also, Boult's Lyrita Finzi disc comes to mind:

+1 & +1