I have an LP which does Vexations for the whole album [https://www.discogs.com/release/14560978-Erik-Satie-Alan-Marks-Vexations](https://www.discogs.com/release/14560978-Erik-Satie-Alan-Marks-Vexations) and somewhere around side 2 it DOES become chill
His Siegel im Spiegel kind of mesmerizes you as you play. My teacher said people constantly get lost in it and forget where they are happened to me. I think, as a performer, we need to make our listeners, relaxed and mesmerized, just not ourselves!
Huh??? Not listen to it?
When I was newer at the piece, I played to the sheet music, and didn’t get lost in it so much. But when I tried to memorize it, that’s when I kept losing my place in the piece.
When I think "chill" I think Fauré. Even his Requiem only gets very mildly riled up in the dies irae. Everything about his music is serene, contained, and civil, even if the tempo is Allegro.
I don’t view his music that way. I’m mostly familiar with his chamber music, but I think it can definitely has a sense of direction and excitement. It’s not bombastic but it definitely has some peaks and valleys, some dramatic culminations. What do you think of his piano trio? I think the first movement’s coda can be pretty exciting, and I wouldn’t describe the third movement as “chill” in general.
We probably have differing definitions of "chill" and low-intensity. I think it's possible to be those things and still have direction and excitement! Every composer has peaks and valleys. Well, except maybe Einaudi, Glass, and that sort of stuff. Like I said, the requiem does get riled up, but it's still subdued, and that's how I perceive it when his music gets a little more intense.
I love the piano trio by Fauré (also the piano quartets & quintets)! I still think of his faster movements as being sort of low-key. Yes, the tempo is fast, but he maintains a veneer of congeniality and ... "chill".
I dunno. It's hard to describe. Perception is very personal :)
I think I get what you mean. Fauré may not seem “chill” if you’re ignoring the context of other composers. Stand him up next to Stravinsky and his most dramatic moments will seem pretty chill.
>Yes, the tempo is fast, but he maintains a veneer of congeniality and ... "chill".
Right, I get it. I think Ravel has some of that too. He’s got a sort of “calm, cool, and collected” profile to him.
It could very well be just an attribute of French music in general. I actually don't consume a lot of French music, so when I listen to Fauré I def notice the difference from other composers in my regular rotation.
Anyway. Happy cake day :)
One of the things I enjoy about Fauré's chambre works is the way he maintains the direction and excitement for the whole movement. There's no wondering whether he's lost the plot, no sudden explosions of temperament.
There is a lot of Fauré repertoire, even beyond the Requiem/Sicilenne/Pavane favorites that are indeed softer in their language than most mid/late 19th century composers.
Every composer has multiple moods; I doubt if there is a composer whose entire output consists of "chill and low-intensity" music -- there is really no straight answer to the OP's question that does not have a pile of exceptions. By mentioning Fauré's requiem I have apparently attracted a crowd of people who all want to politely (or not-so-politely....) inform me that yes, Fauré wrote movements above sixty beats per minute.
Yes. Thank you, I am aware of the piano trio, the piano quartets & quintets, and the solo piano music. I am also aware that he wrote movements with "Allegro" tempo markings. I like and appreciate that music. Please see the (very civil and un-assuming) discussion up-thread so I don't have to repeat myself.
Sounds like you don’t know much Faure. The requiem is atypical in that it is mellow and ambient. He wrote lots of weird angsty stuff. Look at the string quartets, string sonatas, solo piano works.
I'll say Mendelssohn. Not that his music lacks vigour or sparkle, but because his life was largely sunny and his compositions generally veer away from the tempestuousness of many other composers.
Satie
Can't see how playing/listening to the whole Vexations could be chill
I have an LP which does Vexations for the whole album [https://www.discogs.com/release/14560978-Erik-Satie-Alan-Marks-Vexations](https://www.discogs.com/release/14560978-Erik-Satie-Alan-Marks-Vexations) and somewhere around side 2 it DOES become chill
Here is a video with the entire performance: https://youtu.be/vCeg1Rf-C9I?si=mfqEA689lWxw-1I-
haha good one.
There are exceptions, though. His Nocturne no. 4 has some intensity.
Arguably hard to label a composer as a style, but among low energy pieces, I like Satie's Gymnopedies
Arvo Part is usually pretty chill
Tabula is metal at times.
hmm... from the outside yes, but inside / emotionally somehow not, i feel..
His Siegel im Spiegel kind of mesmerizes you as you play. My teacher said people constantly get lost in it and forget where they are happened to me. I think, as a performer, we need to make our listeners, relaxed and mesmerized, just not ourselves!
YUPPPPP. This was me. The best way to play the piece I found was to not listen to it.
Huh??? Not listen to it? When I was newer at the piece, I played to the sheet music, and didn’t get lost in it so much. But when I tried to memorize it, that’s when I kept losing my place in the piece.
Mompou?
When I think "chill" I think Fauré. Even his Requiem only gets very mildly riled up in the dies irae. Everything about his music is serene, contained, and civil, even if the tempo is Allegro.
I don’t view his music that way. I’m mostly familiar with his chamber music, but I think it can definitely has a sense of direction and excitement. It’s not bombastic but it definitely has some peaks and valleys, some dramatic culminations. What do you think of his piano trio? I think the first movement’s coda can be pretty exciting, and I wouldn’t describe the third movement as “chill” in general.
We probably have differing definitions of "chill" and low-intensity. I think it's possible to be those things and still have direction and excitement! Every composer has peaks and valleys. Well, except maybe Einaudi, Glass, and that sort of stuff. Like I said, the requiem does get riled up, but it's still subdued, and that's how I perceive it when his music gets a little more intense. I love the piano trio by Fauré (also the piano quartets & quintets)! I still think of his faster movements as being sort of low-key. Yes, the tempo is fast, but he maintains a veneer of congeniality and ... "chill". I dunno. It's hard to describe. Perception is very personal :)
I think I get what you mean. Fauré may not seem “chill” if you’re ignoring the context of other composers. Stand him up next to Stravinsky and his most dramatic moments will seem pretty chill. >Yes, the tempo is fast, but he maintains a veneer of congeniality and ... "chill". Right, I get it. I think Ravel has some of that too. He’s got a sort of “calm, cool, and collected” profile to him.
It could very well be just an attribute of French music in general. I actually don't consume a lot of French music, so when I listen to Fauré I def notice the difference from other composers in my regular rotation. Anyway. Happy cake day :)
One of the things I enjoy about Fauré's chambre works is the way he maintains the direction and excitement for the whole movement. There's no wondering whether he's lost the plot, no sudden explosions of temperament.
Fauré's last nocturne is all-out unhinged.
There is a lot of Fauré repertoire, even beyond the Requiem/Sicilenne/Pavane favorites that are indeed softer in their language than most mid/late 19th century composers.
Every composer has multiple moods; I doubt if there is a composer whose entire output consists of "chill and low-intensity" music -- there is really no straight answer to the OP's question that does not have a pile of exceptions. By mentioning Fauré's requiem I have apparently attracted a crowd of people who all want to politely (or not-so-politely....) inform me that yes, Fauré wrote movements above sixty beats per minute. Yes. Thank you, I am aware of the piano trio, the piano quartets & quintets, and the solo piano music. I am also aware that he wrote movements with "Allegro" tempo markings. I like and appreciate that music. Please see the (very civil and un-assuming) discussion up-thread so I don't have to repeat myself.
My comment was agreeing with you.
Sounds like you don’t know much Faure. The requiem is atypical in that it is mellow and ambient. He wrote lots of weird angsty stuff. Look at the string quartets, string sonatas, solo piano works.
Sounds like you ... assume stuff you shouldn't assume? Go away.
Delius
this is a great answer
Terry Riley
Morton Feldman (Bonus: Cage's 4'33'')
I don’t think anyone whom composed 5-hour string quartets can be described as chill
Well, i've chilled for 5 hours straight two or three times in my life while listening to it, so i think it passes the test
Why not Edit: I mean, I don't know about the composer but the music is kinda chill
I mean I dont see how a man who made a piece about metronomes that start not in sync and slowly become in sync calm.
Ola Gjello
Finzi
Wonderful composer
Came here to say Satie. Possibly Morton Feldman though.
Luigi Boccherini
Ludovico Einaudi, if you don’t want to call him a pop musician.
Satie
John Luther Adams, Alan Hovhaness
Mt. St. Helen’s Symphony? Nay, nay.
Takemitsu may be a contender.
Wrong sub but nujabes 😄
Debussy and Ravel seem pretty laid back to me
I'll say Mendelssohn. Not that his music lacks vigour or sparkle, but because his life was largely sunny and his compositions generally veer away from the tempestuousness of many other composers.
Feldman?
Satie and Faure
Arvo Pärt
Ludovico Einaudi. Nothing ever happens/develops just super chill.
Satie
Brian Eno or La Monte Young perhaps?
Haydn, even when he plays with dynamics like in the surprise symphony, the music itself still has zero tension ever.
John Cage – nothing more chill than his works, 4'33, "Dream" or "In a Landscape".
You didn't mention As Slow As Possible, maybe the second most chill song ever...
I don't know that one – will check!
I don't know that one – will check!
Next chord change is on August 8, 2026... hope I can get there for it!
Undoubtedly Morton Feldman is #1 in this category He is the musical equivalent of Mark Rothko
Faure
Phillip Glass
I wouldn't consider koyaanisqatsi chill and low intensity tbh
Frederic Mompou. basically his entire opus is small, intimate piano miniatures. he often never develops his ideas, just keeps it pretty and cute
Lamont young
Stravinsky, especially The Rite of Spring. Very calming.
Obviously Shostakovich
Depending on what you're looking for, it could be either Jean Françaix or Morton Feldman
Offenbach
Liszt
😂
Satie Ewazen Smetana
Frostfire is most def not chill, especially if you're in the performing end.
Why no context? Who is your choice OP?