7 am - 8 am

7 A.M. There is a need for order and purpose to the day. Haydn symphonies are ideal at this hour. Concise and with an absence of bombast, they sharpen your wits with a wit of their own.Don't expect this from the slick machine of the modern orchestra. The period group is what you need, with the buzz and clang of the arcane bells, reeds, and bows. There are many recordings, but Volume 2 of the Haydn Symphonies Series, by the Academy Of Ancient Music (L'Oiseau-Lyre), directed by Christopher Hogwood, is a good place to begin.
As the murmur of news seeps unbiden through the walls and windows, you may prefer the prophecy of the opening measures of the Mozart String Quartet No. 19 in C Major, K. 465", often subtitled "Dissonant", performed by Le Quatuor Talich (Calliope), or turn to the piano for "On An Overgrown Path" played by András Schiff on the album Leos Janácek: A Recollection (ECM), or Brahms's autumnal intermezzos "Opuses 117 and 118", performed by Radu Lupu (Decca).

1. Haydn - Symphony No. 3 in G Major - I. Allegro (5:17)
2. Haydn - Symphony No. 3 in G Major - II. Andante moderato (6:42)
3. Haydn - Symphony No. 3 in G Major - III. Menuet. Trio (3:48)
4. Haydn - Symphony No. 3 in G Major - IV. Finale, Alla breve (1:51)
5. *Mozart - String Quartet No. 19 in C major ("Dissonant"), K. 465: I. Adagio - Allegro (10:55)
6. *Mozart - String Quartet No. 19 in C major ("Dissonant"), K. 465: II. Andante cantabile (7:45)
7. *Janácek - On An Overgrown Path I: I. Our Evenings (3:24)
8. *Janácek - On An Overgrown Path I: II. A Blown Away Leaf (2:56)
9. Brahms: Intermezzi, Op. 117 - No. 1 in E flat, Andante Moderato (5:44)
10. Brahms: Intermezzi, Op. 117 - No. 2 in B flat minor: Andante non troppo e con molta espresione (4:57)
11. *Brahms: Intermezzi, Op 118 No 1 Intermezzo. Allegro non assai in A minor (1:55)
12. *Brahms: Intermezzi Op 118 No 2 Intermezzo. Andante teneramente in A Major (4:31)