When the British government came up with the slogan "Keep Calm and Carry On" in 1939, it was intended to bolster public morale in the face of the oncoming world war. Seventy years on, the inspirational phrase and iconic poster have been revived into a sort of 21st century meme that has extended far beyond the British Empire and been embraced around the world. Although this inevitably led to mass-commercialization and many humorous spoofs, the original message is still a good one. This two-disc set of relaxing classical music is a worthy use of the "Keep Calm" banner and features the kind of world-renowned classics that would make Churchill proud. Gentle piano pieces like
Debussy's "Claire de Lune" and Mendelssohn's "Song Without Words" have long been used to ease anxiety, and the more orchestral fare is well-represented by Beethoven, Bach, Handel, and many other great masters. Whether you're simply suffering from road rage or feeling the unbearable weight of the world's problems on your shoulders, have a cup of tea, pop in this collection, and always "Keep calm and carry on." ~ Timothy Monger