I know that lots of people listen to Baroque music when they study or want to concentrate, more likely J.S.Bach, and most likely played by Glenn Gould. I understand the point: the pleasing inner logic and clarity of Bach's music and the verve of Gould's playing are spellbinding and sobering at the same time, they will never distract you into romantic sentiment, because they are always engaged in their awe-inspiring self-analysis.
There's nothing wrong with using Bach's music as a tool for studying, but I do think it is a misuse. I mean, it's like memorizing alphabet under the Sistine ceiling.
And I don't want to use Chopin either, the beauty in his music was too dazzling, what even worse is, you can always hear him giggling "screw you I can write such beautiful things based on almost nothing" in your face, when played by a great Chopinist like Horowitz. Study to Chopin is like doing math in a grand banquet.
Therefore I recommend Grieg's Lyric Pieces for solo piano. It's a perfect balance between clarity and beauty. Like a little cabin in the quite woods, in the morning light, after a snow.This is a good "greatest hits" of these works on Spotify: Leif Ove Andsnes – Grieg : Lyric Pieces
This is the Spotify playlist of the BIS 10 CDs set, Edvard Grieg: Complete Piano Music Vol.1-3 are the complete Lyric Pieces. I have found that there are lots of scratches in CD 3, and have reported the problem to Spotify. Hope they will fix it soon.
This one is pretty good too, Philip Glass – Solo Piano, though maybe a little bit moody at times.
Some Mompou and Satie would also be great, here's two albums on Spotify: Herbert Henck – Federico Mompou: Música Callada and Peter Lawson – Satie: Piano Music
Compare to Bach's cathedral, this one is a nice little chapel that suitable for reading: Vladimir Spiakov – Arvo Pärt: Alina
Well the list could go on and and on, but you know what? By far the greatest piano music to study to is:
John Cage – 4'33''
Happy listening, and leave a comment if you have something to recommend, thanks:)
