Relax

Our staff list some of the slowest musical compositions of all time.

As he drove to the bedside of his dying grandmother, Taylor Brorby found comfort in the contemplative third movement of Beethoven's final symphony.

It's just 7:00 on a Tuesday night and I haven't done my (two hours of) homework yet. It looks like we'll be stuck in traffic for another half an hour at the very least. Not that I'm stressed or anything.

You don't have to go to a resort or a spa to relax: classical music can help you take the stress out of everyday chores and routines. Here are ten times when music by your favorite composer can help you breathe a little more easily.

Recently, in a first-year composition course I teach, our discussion veered into the timely topic of Ferguson, Missouri. The room was graveyard silent. None of us dared tread out into the world of deep conversation. We listened to the silence. After a moment, I rose and turned on Franz Biebl's 'Ave Maria.'

Classical host Andrea Blain has spent most of the past 34 years living in Northern Ireland, presenting and performing music. Starting at midnight, Andrea features an hour of Irish and Irish-influenced music. Join her on Music Through the Night for this fitting and relaxing conclusion to St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Bach in the Subways founder Dale Henderson describes how his volunteer network seeks to spread the beauty and calm of classical music around the globe on Bach's birthday, which is coming up on Saturday, March 21.

Inspired by ice crystals in the winter air and the halo-like apparitions they create -- aka "sundogs" -- composer John Luther Adams' "Sky with Four Suns" blooms with the bright light of 45 cellos.

Ever wonder how sound and music affects your central nervous system? Turns out it's similar to how it affects dogs. Heather McElhatton interviews classical pianist and "dog music" composer Lisa Spector, and psychoacoustics researcher Joshua Leeds about their collaborative project, "Through a Dog's Ear."

As Christmas 1914 approached, opposing armies famously put their differences aside and shared common celebrations. It's a story that's been preserved in many ways, including in the stage show, 'All Is Calm', a co-production of Theater Latte Da and Cantus. Learn more and enter for a chance to win tickets to the show.