When the light grows longer in summer, and it becomes harder for kids (and adults) to go to sleep on time, a little quiet music can do the trick. There are, of course, dozens of compilations and albums dedicated to calming excited brains, after a day of activity. But composers love night music because it’s about the liminal state when dreams happen. Here’s our selection of sleep-time music, out of the multitude of possibilities.
- Andante sostenuto, from Piano Sonata, Op. 27, No. 2 (“Moonlight”, Beethoven), Richard Goode, piano.
- Pavane for a Dead Princess (Ravel), Julian Bream and John Williams, guitars
- Nocturne, from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mendelssohn), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Yoel Levi, conductor.
- Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No. 1 (Chopin), Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano.
- Andantino (Movement 2) from Concerto for Flute and Harp, K. 299 (Mozart), Jean-Pierre Rampal, flute, Marie Nordmann, harp, Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra.
- Modéré (Movement 2) from Dialogues (Frederic Mompou), Stephen Hough, piano.
- Prelude 10 (Frederic Mompou), Stephen Hough, piano.
- “Clair de Lune”, from Suite Bergamasque (Debussy), Philippe Entremont, piano.
- “Child Falling Asleep” from Kinderszenen (Schumann), Nelson Freire, piano.