In her new book Tough Transitions, Elizabeth recommends music that helps in many different kinds of situations. Here is her list for music to listen to when life seems chaotic, beginning with classical pieces and then moving to an eclectic list. Links are included for you to purchase these items, where available.

Classical:

Rachmaninov: Vocalise (Piano or Orchestral Version) and Symphony No 2, Third Movement

Massenet: Meditation from “Thais”

Chopin: Prelude No. 4 in E minor, Opus 28

Mozart: Piano Concerto K491 Second Movement

Barber: Adagio for Strings

Brahms: Intermezzo in Eb, Opus 117 No. 1

Schubert: Impromptu No. 3 in G flat major Andante

Miscellany:

Anything by the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, or the legendary country singer Patsy Cline

Gregorian chant recorded by the monks at Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick, Ireland

The calming piano music of Kelly Yost on her Quiet Colors CD.

A compilation called Classical Weepies that includes Samuel Barber, Franz Schmidt, Pietro Mascagni, Tomaso Albinoni, Johann Pachelbel, Maurice Ravel, if you can manage to get past the silly title

Pianist Carol Rosenberger’s beautiful CD called Perchance to Dream: A Lullaby Album for Children and Adults with selections by Brahms, Schubert, Haydn, Faure,

Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, among others

Any of Dan Gibson’s Solitudes series where he combines nature sounds with good music is superb. My favorite is Great Lakes Suite

“Wanting Memories,” by Keali’I Reichel on the CD Pick a Hit Hawaii

Don’t forget Emmylou Harris’s early work (“Boulder to Birmingham,” for example).

There’re the group Sweet Honey in the Rock, especially their song,” No Mirrors in the House.”

And the wonderful hymns such as, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”; “Amazing Grace”; “There is a Place of Quiet Rest.”

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Dr. Elizabeth Harper Neeld offers wisdom and practical insights to anyone whose life is in a time of transition, change, grief and loss of any kind. As an internationally recognized and accomplished consultant, and author of more than twenty books - including Tough Transitions and Seven Choices: Finding Daylight After Loss Shatters Your World - she is committed to work that helps lift the human spirit.