Most Baroque period music is relaxing, Pachebel Canon for those comotose moments, Handel’s Water Music, Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Bach, too many to name, Vivaldi, Mandolin Concerti (VERY relaxing). For uplifting without feeling the need to concentrate, but you can without penalty if you want, try a Mozart piano concerto maybe #20 or 21 or 24, you get the picture. But then again maybe I'm prejudiced. With Mozart you can listen as background music but also to the unforced, elegant depth of his music and never tire of the freshness that it evokes upon repeated listening. Alfred Brendel does it right for me.
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.