14 Musical Nuggets

2 ½ years ago, I posted “20 Musical Nuggets” It began, “Especially in our stressful times, music is essential: as balm, as inspiration, as healing.

Well, if anything, in the time of COVID's health and economic challenges and the political, racial, and gender roiling, musical stress relief may be more important than ever, if only as distractions.

Here are 14 more musical nuggets, from Palestrina in 1584 to current star Kendrick Lamar. I’ve tried to select iconic and accessible music, with a bias toward the upbeat. For each, I include a link to an exceptional performance that's available free on YouTube.

Gaude Gloriosa by Palestrina, performed by Chanticleer.

Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #3, 3rd movement, performed on original-period instruments by Voices of Music.

Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata, 3rd movement performed by Daniel Barenboim. Do listen all the way to the end of this five-minute piece .The last minute is as passionate piano playing as I've ever heard. (Nope, this one isn't upbeat.)

Chopin’s Polonaise in A flat performed by Seong-Jin Cho

Scott Joplin's iconic Maple Leaf Rag.  Here, I take the liberty of offering my own rendition.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s overture to Oklahoma, performed by John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.  I believe that the Broadway overture is an underappreciated art form.  Oklahoma's is my favorite.

Begin the Beguine, big-band at its best, performed by Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band.

Jailhouse Rock, iconic 50s rock, performed by, who else: Elvis Presley.

Respect, the famous soul song, performed by, who else, Aretha Franklin.

The Beatles, who were emblematic of the rebellious ‘60s with such songs as Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (LSD.)

Defying Gravity from the show Wicked, performed by Idina Menzel.

Seasons of Love from the show Rent, performed by the original Broadway cast on the run's closing night.

Bohemian Rhapsody, endlessly creative and virtuosic, performed by Freddie Mercury and Queen:

Rapper Kendrick Lamar has won 13 Grammies . . .and the Pulitzer. Prize. While it's hard to call this song a stress reliever, it's likely to get your attention and distract you from your woes. Here is Lamar's super-hit, Humble, which, on YouTube, has had more than 743,000,000 views.

I read this aloud on YouTube.