quiet classical music

@mikelavigne 

i think the point where that music can be complimentary to reading is variable, and relative to individual sensitivities and even a system's ability to play them realistically at moderate volume levels.

Agreed! For me, there is something in those pieces that refuses to recede into the background. My defenses against Beethoven are much weaker than yours.  When Beethoven masses his troops outside my gates, I'm obliged to lower the drawbridge. Telemann, however, can stand out there all night.

All the Tomaso Albinoni  Oboe concertos
But it is so good that you may  have , difficulties,  to concentrate on
your readings  :-)

@hilde45,

'I like Mike's suggestions for listening above, but for me 5 Beethoven Piano Concertos and Beethoven and Mahler symphony recordings would never remain "in the background." '

@chayro,

'If you're just going to read, might as well put on one of the classical FM or whatever radio you have and let it play.'



This is the dilemma.

We need suggestions that sound pleasant enough to drown out any ambient sounds yet also do not irritate or draw too much attention to themselves.

FM radio doesn't always do that, and then there's the presenters and ever insistence upon the "news".

I certainly wouldn't recommend the Goldberg Variations as background music. Not even the lovely Zenph re-performance of Glenn Gould's 1955 attempt.

As @mikelavigne  pointed out, familiarity could be of a help here, especially to predominantly classical music fans.

It's been long known since the days of Pavlov that repetition does eventually tend to make the brain switch off somewhat. 

It's just a question of finding that perfect balance.

Maybe some fans of ambient music could suggest something?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfAQ--dEg_Y&list=PLDriozYVKPiFbf6hwHW63v3TzyspILprU&index=49 

Philip Glass