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...
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.