Perhaps you have plenty of musical favorites to choose from already, different selections to help you relax or to release built-up frustration. But if you don’t, it may be time to start accumulating a music library of pieces that you can use for winding up or winding down. Many large music stores have a section of New Age instrumental music with a variety of interesting selections. Classical music also offers unending possibilities. The following resources suggest some timeless classics.

Contemporary Contemplative*

Anugama—Shamanic Dream II

One of the finest examples of healing music ever. Ideal for bodywork or movement.

Bruce BecVar—Forever Blue Sky

Bruce is a guitarist with a naturally commercial sound. His heartfelt guitar playing is augmented by orchestration and other effects that expand the sound of his music. Relaxed yet lively, this recording never gets old.

Patrick Bernhardt—Solaris Universalis

Patrick is a well-traveled Canadian artist with a heavenly voice and a gift for universally appealing music. This is his most popular release, with long tracks, multitracked Sanskrit mantras, and a spiritual feeling that is reminiscent of Enya’s music.

Robert Haig Coxon—The Silent Path

Recommended to massage practitioners. The combining of gentle keyboards, Tibetan gongs, and orchestral instruments such as oboe and flute make for a deeply moving recording of peaceful music.

Jonathan Goldman—The Lost Chord

Deep chant and overtone. Wonderful music for meditation or deep listening, with a Tibeten influence. Based on the extensive training that Goldman has had with lamas from that part of the world.

Incantations—Incantations

This CD has probably accompanied numberless human passages: births, deaths, healings, and celebrations. Keyboards, Middle Eastern doumbek rhythms, a jazz bassist/flute player, a percussionist, and two angelic singers join in this musical communion.

Deva Premal—The Essence

Beautiful chant recording, mostly sanskrit mantras, such as the "Gayitri Mantra." Deva Premal’s magnificent voice and emotional expression set this apart from the field.

Raphael—Music to Disappear In

Neoclassical composing meets shamanic heart rhythms. Can be used for movement, deep listening, massage, and in other inspired settings.

Suzanne Sterling—Bhakti

This is chant/world music with original songs sung in English. Suzanne's superb voice, excellent production, and world music elements from the all-star supporting cast make this a highly popular vocal release.

Weave—Cho Ku Rei

This music is designed for Reiki healing and is equally effective for bodywork, meditation, simple relaxation, or nighttime listening. Warm melodies, plenty of space between the musical passages, and an overall sense of wellbeing fill this recording.

Classical

Bach—The Six Brandenburg Concertos

Evokes a wide variety of feelings.

Beethoven—Symphony #6 in F, Opus 68 (Pastoral)

Inspirational and soothing. For pure joy, also listen to the famous Ode to Joy at the end of the Ninth Symphony.

Mozart—Jupiter Symphony and Violin Concertos #3 and #5

Almost anything is great, but these are particularly magical and joyful.

Tchaikovsky—Swan Lake ballet suite and Sleeping Beauty ballet suite

Dance with your heart.

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* These selections were compiled were compiled by Lloyd Barde, founder of Backroads Distributors, Corte Madera, California. See www.backroadsmusic.com or call 800-767-4748.

 

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