[AUDIO] There have been several studies recently on the affect of music on the psyche, particularly in regard to warding off depression or chasing away the blues. (Depression is of course much worse than "the blues" and music's healing powers go back to scripture). Close to home, exceptional work on this has been done by OSU's own David Huron, including his latest book, Sweet Anticipation (MIT Press) of which more anon. I asked people what music they use to cheer themselves up. This writer included votes for pizza and chocolate (looking at me, you'd think I was chronically depressed-not so) and here are some responses. It ain't zoloft and it ain't food, except for the soul. Christopher: Monteverdi Vespro della beate virgine (1610)00000178-6a23-ddab-a97a-6a3b5a550000 [audio:monteverdi.mp3] Linda: Anything by John Rutter (healing), and Nimrod from Elgar's Enigma Variations (inspiring)...and lots by Rachmaninoff, Mozart Gershwin and Sondheim...and even some McCartney! Rutter: Praise Ye the Lord (Turtle Creek Chorale/Timothy Seelig) [audio:rutter2.mp3] Elgar: Enigma Variations-Nimrod (Montreal Sym/Dutoit) [audio:nimrod.mp3] Mark: Robert Schumann's Carnaval, op. 9 R. Schumann: Carnaval: Pierrot, Arlequin (Evgeny Kissin)00000178-6a23-ddab-a97a-6a3b5a560000 [audio:carnaval.mp3] Akira: Zerbinetta's aria from R. Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos in the original version sung by Edita Gruberova Gerald: Some good piano and violin concertos. Also Beethoven and Brahms symphonies Christine: Beethoven piano concertos...Bach...Oh, and I like the way Dawn Upshaw sings Gorecki Gorecki: Symphony 3 I. exc. (Dawn Upshaw, London Sinf/Zinman)00000178-6a23-ddab-a97a-6a3b5a570000 [audio:gorecki.mp3] Betsy: Bach's b minor mass, for starters William: Birgit Nilsson's Songs of Scandanavia album Debra: Chris, I know you think I'd rather go shopping at Saks to chase away my blues, but I'd rather play Chopin! Jeff: The opening movement of Prokofiev's Classical Symphony; From the trio to the end of Der Rosenkavalier; and Dame Joan Sutherland singing My Hero from The Chocolate Soldier Prokofiev: Symphony 1 "Classical" I. Allegro (Montreal Sym/Dutoit) [audio:proko1.mp3] [youtube 4ZG8wkkuwyU&feature=search 490 344] Tim: Strauss-Feierlicher Einzug...What a Feeling from Footloose Amy: For me, it's still that (presumably hot) record album I bought at 00000178-6a23-ddab-a97a-6a3b5a580000Blakey's circa 1970, Taj Mahal's Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home...from the world of bel canto, it's Monterrat Caballe's Casta Diva Bellini: Norma-Casta diva (Montserrat Caballe) [audio:casta1.mp3] Jay: Gilbert and Sullivan G&S: HMS Pinafore, Never mind the why and wherefore (Jean Hindmarsh, John Reed, Jeffrey Skitch; D'Oyly Carte Opera Co./Nash) [audio:gs.mp3] Jeanne: A good dose of Vivaldi, just about anything usually helps; also a California guitarist Nocy. Am listening also to an Icelandic guy named Jonsi, weird and kinda wonderful! And I just woke up to the fact one of the arrangers on the Jonsi CD is Nico Muhly! Christopher: Brahms Haydn Variaitons Brahms: Haydn Variations I. St. Antoni Chorale (Cincinatti Sym/Lopez-Cobos) [audio:brahms-haydn3.mp3] Christopher: (again, but it's my show, what the hell) R. Strauss Der Rosenkavalier, opening of Act II [audio:rosen.mp3] Let's keep updating this so let us know what works for you! --Christopher Purdy PS Because I can't bear to leave off Der Rosenkavalier, here is the exquisite Presentation of the Rose scene from ActII. Enjoy. [youtube AuS337uc-4Y&feature=search 490 344]
