Favorites of mine are:
Beethoven: Symphony #7, 2nd movement
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos
Pretty much any symphony or piano concerto by Mozart or Haydn.
Piano works by Chopin, Satie, Mozart, Beethoven
A lot of classical music most people are exposed to are single movements within a larger composition. Listening to whole symphonies/concertos/suites/etc gives you a consistent vibe for 20-45 mins.
Some I like:
Violin Concerto in E Minor Op 64 - Felix Mendelssohn
Violin Concerto #5 in A Major, K219- Mozart
Symphony #2 in D Major - Jean Sibelius
Cello Suite #1 in G Major - J.S. Bach
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven
Miserei Mei Deus - Gregorio Allegri (has an interesting story)
Honestly, I’m a classically trained musician, so I almost never put on classical music for background noise - I tune in and listen out of sheer habit.
I like Philip Glass. Yeah his name is a punchline but I find his sense of harmony and melody pleasant to listen to. I recommend his violin concerto. If you like vocal music I recommend renaissance motets (anything by Tomás Luis de Victoria for starters).
If you like a challenge take a listen to Stravinsky. If you wanna hear what it’s like to be a combat veteran try Xenakis.
It depresses me when people ask this question. It’s like asking, “which one of your friends do you invite over when you don’t want to have to interact much with anyone?” Umm - they’re my friends. I like them because of the quality of our interactions! Not just for their ambient body heat. That would make me a sociopath.
Technically baroque, but Bach’s lute suites are incredible.
Her BWV 997 is amazing
Glenn Gould is a standby standard. Solo piano is very relaxing.
I dont really have favorites, but I do like to find a playlist of classical music on Spotify and play that in the background.
I also like to find string quartets that cover modern songs. Vitamin String Quartet and Piano Tribute Players have quite a few to check out.
Depends on your definition of “Classic”. For relaxing background music I like “Waiting for Custeau” by Jean Michel Jarrett.
Anything Neo Classical.
