Most achingly-beautiful music

Any ECM afficianados out there? Don't know how he does it, but Manfred Eicher gets the best out of his musicians. My vote would be..

Pat Metheny and Friends ("80/81"): the last 5 minutes of "two folk songs"
Pat Metheny: New Chautauqua
Egberto Gismonti: Solo (this guy is amazing. Like a Brazilian Keith Jarrett)
Mick Goodrick: In Passing
Kenny Wheeler: any early album (Gnu High, Deer Wan, Around Six)
Dave Holland: Life cycle, Extensions
W. A. Mozart: String quartet #15
Chopin: The Nocturnes

In no particular order:
Simon and Garfunkels "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Always makes me feel like everything's gonna be ok no matter what.

Billy Joels "Innocent Man"
Always makes me feel like everything is gonna be ok when I'm havin' woman problems.

Joaquin Rodrigo/ The Adagio from the "Concerto de Aranjuez"
Sad, bitter sweet,cerebral,intensely sexual, but hopeful as well. This works on so many emotions and I never tire of it. Julian Breem does this piece exceptionaly well. However, Christopher Parkening's performance is absolutely astonishing.

Bach's cello suite no 2. "Famous blue Raincoat" by Leanoard Cohen. "Fly" by Nick Drake.

Great thread! I have just a couple of suggestions. Gorecky's Symphony For Sad Songs, UTE Lemper's BARABARA, Keith Jarrett, Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek and orchestra on ARBOUR ZENA.

Getz/Gilberto - everything - gentle and romantic

Neil Young - live, alone, acoustic, small intimate venues (mostly bootlegs) - raw, emotional performances

Pink Floyd - early, live recordings, best before Dark Side of the Moon (mostly bootlegs) - cutting edge (but still accessible) experimentation with music that evokes awe and respect for human creativity (like the Beatles, but we all know about what awesome work *they* did).