Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Hello Swatties! I’m Audrey Edelstein ’15 and I plan to major in music with a minor in the social sciences. I’ve been exposed to a lot of classical music over the years through various ensembles in high school and college and have created a conglomerate of music that I love and hold dear.
Aside from music, I love tap dancing, photography, style, and cracking jokes with my friends.
My tip to improving your playlist is to listen to everything around you. Ask your friends what they like. Go out of your comfort zone and listen to music outside of your genre. Find out the background music in your favorite films and TV shows. Discover what sets you in a certain mood. Mix things up now and again by giving things you know you hate a second listen.
This playlist is a selection of music I like to listen to when I want to feel quiet and peaceful—the distant sounds when the rain is falling on a Sunday morning—or when I need something to drown out background noise in McCabe while still focusing on my work.
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 (“Pathetique”) — Beethoven
Simple and longing, happy yet melancholy.
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor (“Moonlight”) — Beethoven
Moonlight was never quite so sweet and simultaneously intense.
“Claire De Lune: Die Cellisten Der Berliner Philharmoniker” — Debussy (on YouTube)
A classic piano tune arranged for cellos. Arrangements don’t get much better than this.
“Plorate filii Israel” from Jephte — Carissimi (on YouTube)
This reminds me of just how small we are and how universal some feelings can be.
“Ave Maria” — Franz Biebl
Would you guess this was written in 1964? It sounds like church music … at first.
“The Sound of Silence” — Paul Simon (9/11/2011 live recording on YouTube)
This Simon & Garfunkel standard means so much more on the anniversary of 9/11.
“Anchor” — Mindy Gledhill
This quirky love song is quite heartfelt and nods to those that keep us grounded.
“Lucky” — Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
We’re all lucky to have each other, if you think about it.
“Imagination” — Johnny Burke
What is it about love songs? This one speaks to the fantasy that the hottie across Sharples might actually love you too.
“What’ll I Do?” — Irving Berlin
What are you going to do when your ex is far away and you’re thinking of him or her? Listen to this song.
“Si tu vois ma mère” — Sidney Bechet
My favorite recording of this is the one used in Midnight in Paris. Very good for dancing to with a special someone. Even better if moonlight is involved.
“Dawn,” from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice soundtrack
It was so hard picking a song from this soundtrack. Seriously, listen to everything. The piano parts are absolutely wonderful.
Happy Listening! What music do you like to listen to when you want an aura of calm to envelop a room? Comment below!
“Campus Mixtapes” is a feature highlighting the musical tastes of different people at Swarthmore. To nominate someone, please email Lily Jamison-Cash ’15 (ljamiso1).
I don’t listen to much classical, so I’ll start taking your suggestions and trying them out! What I do have on my iTunes is Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, which I adore. Classical music AND Shakespeare- and there’s a version with Judi Dench speaking a few lines here and there.
What a great playlist! I’m so glad I decided to check this out! I must say I enjoy the “Ave Maria”, “The Sound of Silence” and Debussy work. Very good repertoire! Hope to hear more out of Swarthmore!
Student/Music Geek
UMass Amherst ’15