Is classical music good for relieving stress?

[Stump]

Just wondering, it seems as if it would be. I work inside of a car basically 90% of the time and I'm gonna try listening to NPR all next week and see if the music helps me chill out.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. It can, and I find it to be the best background music for working

I can't work to talking or music with words.

[tjwmason]

3. You make a very good point.

The vast majority of popular music is in song form, and there was has a tendancy to listen to the words which involves more concentration. I love choral music and have more recordings of various Masses and motets that one can shake a stick at, but if I need to concentrate on something at the same time it has to be purely instrumental - at my last job I often needed to focus on doing something pretty boring and repetitive, I would play Bach organ fugues on some headphones and foudn that my concentration was far better than it would otherwise be.

[CBHagman]

2. Oh, I recommend it.

Though you might not want to start with Philip Glass or John Cage!

Generally, though, your classical stations will play very listenable, very accessible classical music -- chamber works, symphonies, overtures, concerti, sonatas by all the usual suspects. Expect to hear Smetana's Ma Vlast, particularly The Moldau; The Lark Ascending or The Folk Song Suite by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Rossini and Mozart Overtures, that sort of thing.

If you like early music -- e.g., Gregorian chant, the works of Hildegard von Bingen, Renaissance polyphony, etc. -- see if you can't find some of that too.

And as you might expect, you can buy CDs or download music that is labeled "classical relaxation." The record labels have for years made bargain-priced theme compilations with music meant to soothe or inspire the listener and set the mood. A quick Internet search ought to turn up a lot, or you could survey DUers for their favorites.

[Turbineguy]

4. Untold numbers of people

have died in their beds because I listen to classical music while I drive.

[david13]

5. Oh no no no, when I hear Ride of the Valkyries I start getting, well,

very funny, aggressive, human bulldozer, oh, I have to get a grip.
dc

[david13]

6. Wasn't classical music, in the form of Wagner, the whole inspiration

for Germany in the 1930's and early 40's?
dc

[elleng]

9. VERY late to this, but I don't think so;

I think you're confused about 'which came first.'

[noel711]

7. I know I'm late to this party...

but, if you spend a lot of time in car,
can you get Sirius radio..
they have several classical stations,
so you'd have more options.

If you aren't familiar with classical music,
try what's called 'classical light..'

And yes, classical music is a wonderful stress reliever.
When I'm driving, and am listening to classical music,
I feel very wealthy. It puts a rich patina on everything.

[david13]

8. I will go with the rich patina. And educated. If you study it, to really

know it and understand it, you will appreciate it more, and that is usually done at an institution of higher education (college or university) and thus, you will feel more educated, as you probably are.
But stress, some pieces cause stress for me. Aggression, etc. It's dangerous.
More cultured?
dc