What pieces sustain you?

[Brian2112]

In times of crisis, depression, or general tough going, what 5 pieces of music sustain you? What gives you a lift, cheers you up, or gives you strength to continue and why?

For me:

1) Rush – “Natural Science” (All about the Golden Ratio, maintaining integrity, and keeps everything in perspective)

2) LVB - Symphony #9 (Pain, tragedy, and loss, culminating in the world’s most optimistic music ever created)

3) Rush – “2112” – culminating in the Grand Finale (same as above)

4) Yes – “And You and I” - symphonic version especially (The ultimate love song – not limited to man and woman but also to man and God)

5) Dave Weckl – “Tribute” (one of the most beautiful jazz pieces I have ever heard)



…2112:)

[EricWatkins]

Rush- Anything but especially anything from the "Counterparts" CD

Danny Elfman's "Farewell" and the main love theme from Edward Scissor Hands.

Anything Van Hagar with Keys

U2- "Walk On" (and a million others)

Papa Roach- Broken Home, Scars

[mistahamma]

In times of crisis, I turn to God, the source of my strength, so my list is full of hymns. It's not so much that I go pop in a disc to listen to them, I just kind of hear the songs in my head -

1) "It is Well With My Soul" (traditional hymn)

2) "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" (traditional hymn)

3) "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" (traditional hymn)

All of these traditional hymns have incredibly powerful words, and many were written while the writer was facing very difficult circumstances.

4) There's a more recent song our church choir sings called "Total Praise" that has fantastic, uplifting words and a wonderful arrangement.

5) I like to put on a CD called "Streams." It is a collection of contemporary Christian songs, all about keeping hope and perservering in difficult times. Has a couple notable guest appearances, like Michael McDonald (Doobie Bros) and Jon Anderson (Yes), and some very beautiful orchestral arrangements at the end. Production is top-notch as well. Definitely worth checking out.

Jim

[SeanHannifin]

It would be sacrilegious to narrow it down to just five :D But pieces include:

1) Anything by Mozart

2) Beethoven's 5th and 9th

3) Dvorak's 9th

4) Bach's Cello Suites

5) Vivaldi's 4 seasons

6) Schumann's 3rd

7) Anything with John Williams's brilliant orchestration

8) Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings soundtrack

9) Music from the Les Miserables musical

10) Music from The Phantom of the Opera musical

And of course many others . . . :D the list goes on and on . . . what would I do without music?! :eek:

[jesshmusic]

One thing I tend to do is listen to Schoenberg's 'A Survivor from Warsaw' to remind myself that it could always be worse. On the same album it is directly followed by Beethoven's 9th... which is a nice contrast. I almost can't hear the two seperately.

But for the most part, in hard times, I find it that to be my most creative period, so I compose somehow...



Sean.... Forgive Salieri for what? lol

[Shazbot]

"Adagio" by Albinoni (more by Giazotto, really)

"This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush (eh, works for a guy, too)

"Even in the Quietest Moments" by Supertramp

"Canon in D" by Taco Bell (er, Pachelbel)

And as far as 'sustain', it's gotta be that final chord in "A Day in the Life". :p

[Ray Lindsley]

1) "Misrlou" Dick Dale (or just about any surf guitar instrumental)- very happy and upbeat feel-good music and takes me back to the days of my innocence (I was about 5). Well, relative inoccence anyway.

2) "Quiet Village" Martin Denny- A peaceful, calm escape to a tropical island

3) "A Love Supreme" John Coltrane- Very spiritual and almost Tantric

4) Just about anything from Buddy Guy, B.B. King, or Stevie Ray Vaughan- Nothing like the blues to get rid of the blues

5) "Ride of the Valkaries" Wagner- makes me feel like I could take on the world.

[capt_hook]

Wow! What a good post! Well, I have many more than 5, but here are the top five, I know these may sound sad to some, but they pick up me up:

* Barber- "Adagio for Strings Op. 11" such beauty...


* Camille Saint-Saëns- "Symphony No 3 'Organ' "- what he went through before he wrote this I could wish on nobody!


* Any Bob Marley- what a fighter, what a revolutionary, he was a strong man with a good positive message and he stood behind every word. His music always puts a smile on my face.


* Any Danny Elfman- has this gent come a long way since Pee Wee's Big Adventure or what?!?!? This dude has some wonderful music and he knows how to work outside the proverbial box.


* Tchaikovsky Symphony No 6 "Pathetique"- a poor troubled soul living in harsh times! This was his last full symphony and he poured his Russian heart and soul out into this one. That last movmnt alone will get ya! Bravo Tchaikovsky!!

* One more I know, sorry. All the music my wife and I have written. She is an opera voice major and I am a comp major and we write pop tunes once in while and it makes me proud to hear what we have accomplished:)

[Paul Blankenau]

Disco Bagpipes by our own Darwin Kopp, and anything by Wing.

On the night of my first exposure to Wing, I got a serious case of the giggles. I was afraid I'd wake my roommate, so I thought of the saddest moment possible as an antidote. It didn't work, and I busted out completely. Nothing particularly awful has happened since then, but if it does, I'll put Wing to the test in real time.

[squoze]

Keep on Shining- Natalie Grant "Let love light up your darkest nights"
Little Wing - Neil Young "She brings them feathers when they fall"
Cosmic Thing - B52s "Dance in the garden in torn sheets in the rain"
Aja - Steely Dan Steve Gadd's drumming is uplifting
Never Neverland - Todd Rundgren

"I know a place where dreams are born
And time is never planned
It’s not on any chart
You must find it in your heart
Never never land
It may be miles beyond the moon
Or right there where you stand
Just keep an open mind
And then suddenly you’ll find
Never never land
You’ll have a treasure if you stay there
More precious far than gold
For once you have found your way there
You will never, never grow old
And that’s my home where dreams are born
And time is never planned
Just think of pleasant things
And your heart will fly on wings, forever in
Never never land"

[IlTennico]

Here's my favorite five:

1 - Sigfried's death, Wagner
2 - Sonata N° 9, Op. 68 (Black Mass), Scriabin
3 - Epitaph, King Krimson (from in the court of the crimson king)
4 - Soldier of Fortune, Deep Purple (from Stormbringer)
5 - I'm Free, The Who (from Tommy)

Not necessarly in this order, but Wagner, solid first.

[Glenn]

I am an Aaron Copeland fan.

Fanfare for the Common Man, of course.
Appalachian Spring is something I practically have memorized.

[southportJim]

Holding it down to just five pieces is impossible for me, so I'll state some favorites from 5 composers/groups that are especially meaningful:

Arvo Part - Te Deum and Berliner Mass
Morton Feldman - Rothko Chapel
The Dead - Dark Star, St Stephen, I Know You Rider
Beatles - Day in the Life, Dear Prudence, Julia
El Ultimo de la Fila - Insurrecion, El Loco de la Calle


And for close runners-up:

almost anything from early Nirvana and early Tool!

;-)
jim

[CallMeZoot]

Just a few, in no particular order...

- Arvo Part "Fratres" (esp. the violin+string orch.+perc. version)
- Arvo Part "Litany
- Miles Davis "Sketches of Spain"
- Miles Davis "Nefertiti"
- Tom Waits - Everything the man's ever written
- Carl Stalling
- Bartok String Quartets--particularly 3 and 6
- Stravinsky - Rite of Spring
- Theofanidis - Rainbow Body
- Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused, Going to California, many others
- Parliament - Tear the Roof Off
- Josquin - Absalom, Fili Mi
- Chris Rouse - Phantasmata
- Maria Schneider - Gumba Blue
- Beatles - Julia
- Harlem Nocturne
- Morton Feldman - Coptic Light
- Bernstein - West Side Story
- Mingus - Moanin'
- Beethoven 5 and 6
- Serra - Score to "Fifth Element"
- Al Cohn Quartet, featuring Bobby Brookmeyer (whole album)
- Public Enemy "It takes a nation of millions..."
- A Tribe called Quest "Beats, Rhymes and Life"
- Steven Mackey - Heavy Light

getting a bit rambunctious, I'll stop here...

chris.

[capt_hook]

Shoot! I can't believe I forgot!!!

Disney- I love Disney songs, can't get more happy than that:) Alan Menkin did a wnderful job!

[CallMeZoot]

I agree. Disney movies just plummetted in quality almost as soon as Alan Menken stopped.

Hunchback is a tour de force, and Beauty and the Beast is very haunting and elegent.

Alan Menken also wrote Little Shop of Horrors, a favorite of mine. He also wrote a musical version of Vonnegut's "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater," which is one of my favorite books. Has anyone ever seen this, or heard a recording? I've been trying to track it down for years with no luck.

There was a copy of the libretto in the NYU library when I was there, but I never found anything more...

chris.

[davecos]

1. Mahler- Das Lied Von Der Erde

2. Vaughan Williams- Symphony #5, 3rd mvmnt

3. "Closer to Believing"- Greg Lake (ELP- The Works)

4. Angela's Ashes- John Williams

5. Harmonielehre and The Wound Dresser- John Adams

Good topic by the way!

[joaz]

Just a few, in no particular order...

- Arvo Part "Fratres" (esp. the violin+string orch.+perc. version)
- Arvo Part "Litany
- Miles Davis "Sketches of Spain"
- Miles Davis "Nefertiti"
- Tom Waits - Everything the man's ever written
- Carl Stalling
- Bartok String Quartets--particularly 3 and 6
- Stravinsky - Rite of Spring
- Theofanidis - Rainbow Body
- Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused, Going to California, many others
- Parliament - Tear the Roof Off
- Josquin - Absalom, Fili Mi
- Chris Rouse - Phantasmata
- Maria Schneider - Gumba Blue
- Beatles - Julia
- Harlem Nocturne
- Morton Feldman - Coptic Light
- Bernstein - West Side Story
- Mingus - Moanin'
- Beethoven 5 and 6
- Serra - Score to "Fifth Element"
- Al Cohn Quartet, featuring Bobby Brookmeyer (whole album)
- Public Enemy "It takes a nation of millions..."
- A Tribe called Quest "Beats, Rhymes and Life"
- Steven Mackey - Heavy Light

getting a bit rambunctious, I'll stop here...

chris.
Chris, that is what i call a List.!!! I couldn' have put it better myself,(Though I might add Aja...Steely Dan, and Walton 1st Symphony.)
I like the cut of your Jib sir.... :) I thought I was the only one here who liked Public Enemy and Bartok. :D :D
regards

[jmc]

When I need to defrag my brain I listen to Haydn symphonies. But I will listen to just about anything I feel appropriate. Be it Tool or Tchaikovsky. Sometimes I will listen to old projects that I've done, which gives me a kind of basis for comparing where I've been to where I am. Makes me feel that I have in fact accomplished something.

Although when I'm sad, I allow myself to feel sad, to fully express being sad, or frustrated, or even depressed. I'll listen to sad music and genuinely feel the emotion I'm feeling. I've found that when I do that, it gives me a bit more clarity, and I feel less like a mystery to myself.

I agree with Jess that emotional times are very creative times. When I need to be lifted up I try to occupy myself with composition; a project often keeps me from thinking too much. If I'm not feeling creative, I just play with my cats. They are always good for a laugh.

[Fabio]

Here's my favorite five:

1 - Sigfried's death, Wagner
2 - Sonata N° 9, Op. 68 (Black Mass), Scriabin
3 - Epitaph, King Krimson (from in the court of the crimson king)
4 - Soldier of Fortune, Deep Purple (from Stormbringer)
5 - I'm Free, The Who (from Tommy)

Not necessarly in this order, but Wagner, solid first.

SOLO UN ITALIANO PUO' DEFINIRE SE STESSO IL TENNICO!

Ciao! Chi sei?

Fabio
(...I'm not a Technician, I'm a Musician...)

[Fabio]

"Music was my first love,...music of the future, and music of the past..."

I love this old disco song. Lyrics summarize my tought...

The sunny and lighty beginning of Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, like the magnificent "Dona Nobis Pacem" of the B minor Bach's Mass.

Not less than Gloria's "I will survive" or Freddy's "Show must go on".

And why not, something stupid, but really energetic like "Jump!" Van Hallen.

(Yes I'm born in the middle of magic 60s, you understend it, eh?) :D

[SteveMitchell]

Hmm. For me, this really boils down to a list of 5 that move me the most. One's that move me in an appropriate direction for a given situation.

If I need to cry - Mahler 2nd Symphony - "The Ressurrection"
If I feel good and want to heighten that mood - All Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Reissues
If I'm on the warpath with the almighty, and we have to chat - "Mass" - Leonard Bernstein
This will be played at my funeral - "Death and Transfiguration" - Richard Strauss
The time of the season, I spend eleven months a year waiting for this :) - Symphonic/Choral Christmas Music

Stevemitchell

[Jimi]

Tchaikovsky, Symphony #6.
The inspiration on this one is through the roof. The 3rd movement always gives me chills, the buildup is so powerful. You know something special is happening when a boisterous march reduces you to tears. The first movement is one of the single most spectacular bits of music ever concieved. It's odd... suddenly, right before his death, Tchaikovsky gets Beethoven's development power and fuses it with his supreme melodic/harmonic/arranging gift, and the results are incredible. I'm also fond of the 5th and the Manfred symphonies.

Mahler, Symphony #1
Mahler came out of the gates on fire. One inspired bit after another. The finale is, again, one of the best single movements ever. I also love the 5th symphony to pieces, not to mention many of the others (2nd, 6th, etc)

XTC, Skylarking
An incredible album... functions more like an orchestral suite. Front-to-back kick ~~~.

Toad The Wet Sprocket, Fear
Not super well-known, but much loved by those who know it. Another rare album that is top-notch front-to-back. Some tear-jerkers here.

Pete Townshend, All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
This is flaming, passionate stuff, with exceptional, complex lyrics to boot. "The Sea Refuses No River" is not "pop" music, it's art.

They Might Be Giants, Apollo 18
This monster is so unique and superlative that I can't even begin to describe it. This one album has more hooks than 100 other bands put together. At one point they blow an album worth of songs on ONE song... don't ask me to elaborate, you just have to hear it.

Mozart, Symphony 41
A personal favorite, along with various other Mozart works. Mozart is a strange brain space to be in... I go on whole streaks of Mozart, and I talk to the guy in my dreams sometimes.

Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending
Pure magic.

Holst, St. Paul's Suite, The Planets, etc etc

other composers, etc, etc stravinsy, etc, shostakovich 10th, etc, more and more

~~~~... there are many other pieces that I turn to in times of need, but I'm getting tired of listing them.

[fred Holmes]

Ralph Vaughan Williams
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
The Lark Ascending
( A world filled with such beauty is to be cherished and savored)

Arvo Part
Symphony #3
(I will find the light in the midst of darkness)

Igor Stravinski
Rites of Spring
(The joy of emotions)

Finzi
Fear no more (the heat of the sun)
(And this [we] too shall pass)

John Prine
"Hello in there"
(and you too will travel this road)

And too many others to mention
Fred

[Tom Hopkins]

Five would simply not do - not by a long shot. Nevertheless, here are five of my favorites:

1. Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe - the complete ballet (uncontested first place)
2. Debussy: La Mer
3. Bill Evans Trio at the Village Vanguard
4. John Coltrane: Ballads
5. Eddie Daniels: Breakthrough

Now that I've picked the above five I'll follow Zoot's lead with:

Bartok: Violin Sonatas
John Alden Carpenter: Adventures in a Perambulator
Germaine Tailleferre: Music for Violin, Cello, and Piano
Thelonius Monk: Mysterioso
Miles Davis: Seven Steps to Heaven
The Essential Mingus Big Band
Oliver Nelson: Blues and the Abstract Truth
Dave Weckl: Transition
Clifford Brown with Strings
Debussy and Ravel: String quartets and complete piano music
Ives: Three Places in New England
The Music of Harry Partch
Donald Fagen: Nightfly
Frank Zappa: One Size Fits All
Woody Shaw: Setting Standards
Brecker Bros.: anything

Guilty pleasure: The music of Leroy Anderson

And I can't leave out my best non-musical "cheer me up:" The Marx Bros. movies (Animal Crackers, Duck Soup, Horse Feathers, A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, etc.) Always works for me! Guaranteed.

Tom

[DPDAN]

Anything by the Singers Unlimited (http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/DPDAN/Both%20Sides%20Now.mp3) or Hi-Los (Gene Puerling arranger)

David Foster Symphony Sessions

Pat Metheny's music

Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor

Some of Bach's stuff

No way to limit it to five, too much phenominal music.
I think the lyrics of this song by Joni Mitchell as sung by the Singers Unlimited is appropriate for this topic.

I love God most, He is the creator of all things, including music!


Dan

[Tony Monaghan]

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis - Vaughan Williams

Rain Song - Led Zeppelin

First Excursion - Mike Oldfield

Alexander Nevsky (Cantata) - Sergei Prokofiev

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

This will all change tomorrow of course :)

[PaulR]

The Big Rock Candy Mountain

[Christopher Duncan]

Well, I'm a little late to the party I see.

My musical tastes are somewhat diverse, but when I need something to bring me up, I can always count on original recordings from Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.

By the end of the third song (at the most), I'm tapping my toes again. http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Oh, I was supposed to name 5 songs. In no particular order,

Glenn Miller
(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo
Little Brown Jug
American Patrol

Benny Goodman
King Porter Stomp
Sing, Sing, Sing

All very much "feel good" kinda stuff. I wonder why it's become so unpopular to write happy music?

[thesoundsmith]

Coltrane -Love Supreme, Lonnie's Lament
Miles - Sketches of Spain,Kind of Blue, Miles in Europe, Silent Way, Btches Brew
Mahavishnu Orchestra - any original band
Ali Akbar Khan - Raga Chandranandan, any version
Nazakat and Salamat Ali - Raga Poorvi and a Tarana
Essra Mohawk - The Magic Pen
Hans Zimmer - opening musical dance number of 'Toys'.
Ann Nesby's version of A Song for You

[Brian2112]

...Miles - Sketches of Spain,Kind of Blue, Miles in Europe, Silent Way, Btches Brew...


Miles who? Never heard of him...
:eek: :D

...2112:p :D

[Brian2112]

This is from a guy like Christopher who is a rocker at heart. I guess our ears open up over the years!

Ern
Ya. Once the hair is no longer covering the ears, you can hear better.:eek: :D

Sorry CD, it's been a while...
SLASH / PARRY!!!:D

...2112:D

[Drumroll]

1. Opening of Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite - helps me dream. Simple, but beautiful.
2. Stravinsky staples - Petrushka, Firebird and Rites - gives me strength and determination. Also keeps me awe struck. I can hear something new everytime I listen.
3. Stephane Grappelli meets Barney Kessel - the selections make me smile. I can't help but feel fuzzy inside when I hear it.
4. Jazz is Dead featuring Billy Cobham and friends - Jazzed up Dead tunes. Also has a killer version of Red Baron on it. Best version yet, IMHO.
5. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Sinister Minister - Victor Wooten is a GOD!!

I have many others like Larry Coryell - Spaces Revisited and Jeff Richman's A Guitar Supreme - Giant Steps in Fusion Guitars (rocked out Coletrane tunes). Anything Debussy, Holst, Prokofiev.

Blah, Blah, Blah...

[rwayland]

Since I'm ACTUALLY from Kalamazoo, I gotta say "Good Question!"

I've always loved old Bing Crosby, but my wife and I have been getting into Tommy Dorsey records with Frank Sinatra singing lead vocals. Wonderful stuff! Dorsey's muted trombone is so cool, and Frankie must WOW the girls with his crooning.

This is from a guy like Christopher who is a rocker at heart. I guess our ears open up over the years!

Ern :cool: :n:

Well, I have a recording of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony, recorded in about 1959 or so, given to me by John Courtney Griffeth, trumpet player. Or maybe he loaned it to me, and I forgot to give it back. But I still have it, and now and then wonder what became of John.

I am astounded at the mention of Big Rock Candy Mountain, which has been discussed much in my house lately. Also amazing was the list presented by Chris Duncan. I did't know anyone else still remembered those things. American Patrol? One of the first pieces I learned on the piano in the forties, and I still play it now and then. I wonder if anyone remembers Repasz Band?

When I am a bit down and dumpy, I usually get my transfusion from the beauty of the Pacific Coast, or the mighty redwoods, the soaring buzzards, the flocks of partridges, the resident deer herd, the flowing rivers, and the grand mountains, and that is my main line of recovery. I absolutely love standing outside in a torrential rain storm or standing at the rail of a ship in mid-Pacific. I don't remember that I ever looked upon music as solace or comfort. Seems strange for a musician, but thats the way it is.

Richard

[Brian2112]

When I am a bit down and dumpy, I usually get my transfusion from the beauty of the Pacific Coast, or the mighty redwoods, the soaring buzzards, the flocks of partridges, the resident deer herd, the flowing rivers, and the grand mountains, and that is my main line of recovery. I absolutely love standing outside in a torrential rain storm or standing at the rail of a ship in mid-Pacific. I don't remember that I ever looked upon music as solace or comfort. Seems strange for a musician, but thats the way it is.

Richard

Richard, I am so glad you bring this up. Actually, I would argue that this is music as well. In fact, as the old cliché’ goes “It’s the space between the notes that counts”. To me, everything is music – not just the pleasant sounds either. I think it is a state of higher awareness when your senses are always so immersed.

When I am at the beach (for example), I might hear the ocean, touch it, feel it, taste it and see it while simultaneously not being oblivious to the sounds of the sea gulls squawking, the conversation of people walking by, a loud engine of a car full of noisy teenagers driving by, the happy screams of children playing in the distance, the wind on my face. None detract from the others. All together they produce an overall melody and harmony. It is the sound of life – even if it is silence. You are hearing this as well, though perhaps never thought of it as “music” per se. But I think that I would define it to be.

If I may quote myself from lyrics on the bridge of one of my songs called “Symmetry”:



The music of silence

The blindness of sight

The stars in the darkness that make all the light –

Chords of equations that make up the tone

Changing in context…

But never alone



…2112:)

[Christopher Duncan]

Ya. Once the hair is no longer covering the ears, you can hear better.http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Sorry CD, it's been a while...
SLASH / PARRY!!!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

...2112http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Funny guy. http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif Although I do seem to be hearing better these days. Hmmm.

And by the way, if you're up on your Bugs Bunny / Daffy Duck, you'll recall that it's "Parry. Thrust!" Remember, order is important... http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

And glad to see you back out of harms way!

[thesoundsmith]

Miles who? Never heard of him...
In France, he's know as 'Kilometres' Davis, the long-distance track star... :D

[jmc]

In France, he's know as 'Kilometres' Davis, the long-distance track star... :D
Oh! He's using metric time signatures. That explains it!

[Richard N.]

I don't use music to change the mood I am in - I use it to enhance and deepen the mood.

If I am happy, I listen to happy music, if I am sad I listen to sad music and take my mood as deep as it will go.

I think Pink Floyd's "The Wall" is a brilliant album and film, but I don't listen/watch for idle pleasure, I have to be in a certain frame of mind to experience this, and be prepared to be taken further into a chaotic blackness (if you don't know Floyd, then this will mean nothing).

As for a top 10 list of "happy music" how about:

When You're Smiling - Tom Kubis Big Band arrangement
Smile - Charlie Chaplin
Bring Me Sunshine - Morecambe and Wise
Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams - Ted Heath (I think!)
We Are The Champions - Queen
Mr Blue Sky - ELO
Have You Met Miss Jones - Robbie Williams
Rockin All Over The World - Status Quo
The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy
I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats

[snorlax]

Depending on my mood...and in no order

1. Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin (original piano ver., not orch. version)

2. Bill Evans, Live at the Village Vanguard (If I had ONE session only, this would be the one)

3.Hindemith, Mathis der Maler/Symphonic Metamorphoses

4. Bill Evans, NYC's No Lark (unscramble the title, which is an anagram-the biggest musical downer I've ever heard, esp. when you consider the pianist himself and the anagram)

5. Paul Desmond/Dave Brubeck, Jazz at Oberlin
Doug Ramsey's bio of Desmond is a MUST READ

=================================================

Here's one you've never heard, but still has great emotional content:

Alec Wilder, Sonata for Tuba and Piano, slow movement. The original Harvey Phillips vinyl recording from 195x is still the definitive recording (it was written for him). In fact the whole sonata is cool. I got to spend a fair amount of time with Wilder in the early 70s.
==================================================
Jim

[GDG]

* Any Danny Elfman- has this gent come a long way since Pee Wee's Big Adventure or what?!?!? This dude has some wonderful music and he knows how to work outside the proverbial box.


And before that, back to the 70's, he ran the Mystic Knights of Oingo-Boingo. Some good stuff there, too. Has to be one of my favorite film composers.

Grant

[Dave Hoffman]

Wow, what a tough question.

I'd say Saint-Saens Organ Symphony - especially that slow movement...whew!

Jennifer's Lullaby - Spyro Gyra

Bach - Air on a G String

Mozart - Adagio from Serenade in B-Flat

Michael Brecker - Sea Glass

Pat Metheny - If I Could

Mahler - Adagietto from Sym. #5

geez...I could go on and on!

[rwayland]

[QUOTE=Brian2112]In times of crisis, depression, or general tough going, what 5 pieces of music sustain you? What gives you a lift, cheers you up, or gives you strength to continue and why?

Well, now I can tell you what I did when both cars died at once. First one was in the shop for broken ball joint. Second was sidelined for electrical trouble, but I cleaned the windshield inside so I could use it to retrieve the first car. Mirror mount shattered, making it illegal to drive. Part not in stock for ball joint problem. Next day, freight truck with part aboard broke down en route. Just noticed rear tires in need of replacement.

I made reall progress on my cello sonata. Might finish it in this lifetime!

Living in this somewhat remote area is great, but without a car, it becomes quite uncomfortable.

That makes me think that perhaps I shall write a piece entitled "Upon Meeting a Mountain Lion in the Yard" .


Richard

[RichG]

I agree with the above-mentioned posts listing Vaughan Williams, though I'd add:

his 3rd and 8th symphonies

also Satie's piano works

also "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet" by Gavin Bryars (although I can only bear to listen to it maybe once every couple of years)

[Markleford]

A few selections. These can make me weepy. But somehow they cheer me up as well...

Yoko Kanno & Seatbelts, "Cosmos"
Earthworks, "It Needn't End In Tears"
Adrian Belew, "Man in the Moon"
They Might Be Giants, "Dirtbike"
Talking Heads, "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)"

- m

[Jimi]

A few selections. These can make me weepy. But somehow they cheer me up as well...

Yoko Kanno & Seatbelts, "Cosmos
They Might Be Giants, "Dirtbike"

- m

"Here comes the dirt bike. Beware of the dirt bike. Cause i hear they're coming to our town... they've got plans for everyone, now it's brainwashing dirtbike, soul crushing dirt bike, in control..."

[Markleford]

"Here comes the dirt bike. Beware of the dirt bike. Cause i hear they're coming to our town... they've got plans for everyone, now it's brainwashing dirtbike, soul crushing dirt bike, in control..."Sniff! I love you, man! :D

- m

[scalp]

Arvo Part "Tabula Rasa" played by Keith Jarett

Ryuchi Sakamoto "The Last Emperor"

Paul McCartney "This never happened before"

Maurice Ravel "Daphnis et Chloé"

Charlie Parker with strings

[dynamix]

Though I probably should have identified more with the seventies, I was a big pop hound in the eighties, My list could go on forever, but one album I return to regularly over the years is The Style Council's "Confessions of a Pop Group"

Side note: They were one of the best live shows I've ever seen. At the Savoy, NYC 1984 several years before this release.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a357/ventbleu/B00004WGZL.jpg

My most recent favourite, Biréli Lagrène's "Move"

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a357/ventbleu/B00075149E.jpg

[wes37]

In no particular order:

1) Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Ravel
2) Gnossienne No.1 - Satie
3) Air on a G-String, Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Bach
4) Ave Maria - Clemente
5) Clair De Lune - Debussy
6) 4th Symphony - Tchaikovsky
7) Bailero - Canteloube

...and nothing by Rush (sorry, Brian).

[wes37]

Gipsy Kings ain't bad neither.

[Brian2112]

...and nothing by Rush (sorry, Brian).

<cough>...banned...<cough>:p :D

That's ok Wes!:) In fact, I am so glad I started this thread because there are few things mentioned that I have either not heard, or not heard in a long time. Also, I think we kind of get to know each other a little better if we share what really moves us.
I love your list by the way..."Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring" just missed my cut.

...2112:)

P.S. Now where is Gary?? Cmon - spit em out:D

[wes37]

<cough>...banned...<cough>:p :D
Them's fightin' words, Bri!

[David_Carter]

If you mean positive life asserting pieces, pieces that make me glad to be alive and to be human;

Mahler - Second Symphony - the closest thing to a religious experience this atheist comes to.
Ives - Holidays Symphony - July 4 in particular - he just kills me man.
Sass - Meltdown - wild funk for six tubas
Sorabji - Opus Clavicembalisticum - there is such a thing as superman.
Henze - Ragtimes and habaneras - a brass band piece that is joy joy joy.

Oh! and the silly nonsense songs my youngest daughter makes up when she doesn't think anyone is listening.