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More Dumb "Classical" Stereotypes

As little as I know about "classical" music (in the Tower Records sense of the word) even I get bored and offended to hear people say "I LOVE "classical" music -- it's so RELAXING!!" Isn't more baroque music is played in coffee shops and dentist offices to "relax" people? I find Stravinsky quite fascinating and wonderful, but certainly not "relaxing." Whatever the distinctions or period confusion I have, I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for "classical" music that you find relaxing and conducive to concentration and/or happy "classical" music that fills you with energy and optimism. Obviously, a great recording would be an added bonus.
cwlondon
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Also very relaxing is Wagner's Siegfried Idyll. Wagner wrote this for his wife as a gift when their son was born. He hired musicians to play it on the steps of his Villa on Christmas morining. How romantic!
shubertmaniac
348 posts
 
Classical music as relaxing music,hmmmmm. Most of Mozart's
music is light and airy, ditto, Haydn. Mozart's Divertimenti
are relaxing enough(you hear this stuff in restaurants). If you want something a little more exciting, but still relaxing try Schubert's Trout Quintet(it has nothing to do with fish).
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
We're forgeting recommendations. For Schubertmaniac I recommend the Trout with Clifford Curzon and members of the Vienna Octet. It has been in the record catalogs continuously since its release in 1957. Curzon's solo Schubert piano sonatas are also great, as well as an older recording by Ashkenazy on Decca/London Classic Sound. I'll add Schubert Trios with the Beaux Arts Trio. Mozart Piano concertos either Curzon again, Perahia, or Uchida. Wagner's Siegfried Idyll, the most unique performance is a 1983 recording conducted by Glenn Gould. It was Glenn Gould's conducting debut. He died shortly later, so its also hes only conducting effort.
abstract7
541 posts
 
For relaxing most of Bach and Brahms are soothing and relaxing. But you also mention music to work to--you don't want to fall asleep (or maybe you do)--but I would recommend Mozart's work for that. There have actually been studies that showed listening to Mozart raised one's IQ a few points.
bumanndi
2 posts
 
Almost anything by Bach I find very relaxing. The other day, the Cello Sonatas played by Rostropovich (on EMI)worked wonders for me. However, Goldberg Variations and the Well-Tempered Klavier played by Glen Gould I find distracting after a while. I can't get over that humming and singing. His playing is great, but too bad one can't filter out the voice track...
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