I hate it when you say that...

Benny Goodman “The King of Swing” performing his Theme Song.

“Classical Music is relaxing.”

“I listen to classical music to relax.”

Classical music is not relaxing It’s stirring. Composers purposely intended to stir up something romantic, dramatic, fantastic, pastoral, angry, humorous, passionate, nostalgic, and always something personal.

No, the Pachelbel Canon and Bach’s Air on the G String are not relaxing or soothing. They are not Muzak. or way-way-in-the-back, background music.

They are engaging, making us feel something, and we get to determine and decide that feeling.

Hot tea, hot chocolate, a Gin and Tonic, two Gin and Tonics, Oma’s Chicken Noodle Soup — now that’s soothing and relaxing.

Chicken Soup and Brahms: Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118 No. 2: That’s the best of all possible worlds.