When things get rough especially during a work day, I sometimes resort to some music to overwhelm all my brain circuitry and re-set the rheostat. I drop everything and I listen intently for 10 minutes. Sometimes it works really well.
The particular piece varies but it has to fulfill specific criteria (empirical evidence) and it is quite specific (as to performer, track etc). But 3 pieces are often in this repertoire and I keep available everywhere (iPod, computer workstaion, CD player, car etc):

Janos Staker playing Kodaly's Cello Sonata for unaccompanied cello (N0.8) (if you are not already familiar with this piece, it may take some getting used to.
S richter playing Beethoven's Arietta (from Op. 111)
Argerich playing Chopin's Barcarolle

What about you?
I will share Starker's piece since you are probably well acquainted with the other 2.

Andromaque,
Thanks for the link to the Starker video. I heard this performance a while ago and it's good to be reminded and listen again.

Can you say more about the specific criteria you referred to - what gives a piece or a performance its mind-clearing powers.

You may be interested in a short fantasy novel called The Einstein Intersection by Samuel Delany. One of its themes is the influence of music over the mind, and its uses for healing or as a weapon. The Kodaly cello sonata plays an important part in one scene.

That's funny: I heard about The Einstein Intersection for the first time two days ago. It's not a common book.

This is either an interesting coincidence, or an example of the phenomenon, whose name I forget, in which you're introduced to a new word, and then see that word popping up everywhere.

-Jason

You are welcome. Interestingly, I read today that the White House had organized a "Classical music day" that included young students and 3 musicians who gave masterclasses and performances. They included Alicia Weilerstein who played Kodaly' sonata above (the 3rd movement) and Joshua Bell, Sharon Ibsen and a pianist (? Pratt.. sorry I forgot the name).



Totally subjective. I find Kodaly's sonata, as played by Starker, to have a potent penetrating sound and unresolved tension that maintains my focus. I like his tight non schmaltzy vibrato and gorgeous but coolish sound. Also the mix of folk themes alternating with a bit of dissonance. It is organic, simple yet complex.. Quite the ramble here, to say that I don't know.. I have to add that to me Starker is an enchanting musician and epitomizes the kind of mastery that I would yearn for and probably never achieve.



Thanks. I will look it up.

Jason,
It sounds like a special case of Jung's more general concept of synchronicity. I don't know if there is a specific term for the phenomenon you described, but there ought to be.

Andromaque,

Classical Music Day at the White House - what a great idea. I hope there will be more such events. Was the pianist perhaps Awadagin Pratt?

Seconded, all you say about Janos Starker.

Thanks for the more detailed exposition of your idea.