At Gramophone, we remember just how stressful exam season can be, especially when you have to keep up your practice or rehearsal routine at the same time. We've compiled a selection of recordings with think will help with your studies and hopefully give you many hours of listening pleasure.

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Alexandra Hamilton-Ayres - Stair Echoes

This work for strings, recorded in partnership with Her Ensemble, offers a moment of stillness and an opportunity to reflect. With the strings swelling like deep breaths, this will be a sure favourite for any fans of Philip Glass.

Jay Cliffen - Slack Tide

Specialising in textural cassette-based ambient music, Jay Cliffen’s Slack Tide is an organic and electronic dreamscape. A processed piano motif is repeated throughout, with low bass swells imitating the organic movement of the ocean.

Peter Gregson - II. The Day Before

The second movement from his first quartet, Gregson’s psalm-like string textures feature individual lines that bleed into one another other, offering a calming canvas for listeners (and exam students alike).

James Everingham - All Within

Taken from the album Prism, this uplifting and atmospheric track is written for piano and features strings and synthesisers. Packed full of dreamlike textures, All Within provides a sonic landscape for you to get lost in, help block out the outside world and improve your focus.

Max Richter - A Catalogue of Afternoons

Taken from his album The Blue Notebooks, this piece is one of six for solo piano, the title track featuring a dreamlike narration from actor Tilda Swinton. A Catalogue of Afternoons offers a gentle perpetuum mobile to lull you into a rhythm of focus.

Ólafur Arnalds - Saudade (When We Are Born)

With a history as a drummer in a metal band, Arnalds floats to the opposite end of the musical spectrum with Saudade. Cosy contrary motion piano lines offer an intimate listening experience from this Iceland-based composer.

Caroline Shaw - Plan & Elevation IV. The Orangery

Taken from her album ‘Orange’ and performed by the Attacca Quartet, this track gradually builds from an Arvo Pärt-style opening. Gentle rippling arpeggios in the violin act as the bed of this piece, making way for a soaring cantabile cello line. 

Alice Sara Ott & Ólafur Arnalds - Verses

Another addition from the Icelandic composer, this time in collaboration with German-Japanese Deutsche Gramaphon pianist, Alice Sara Ott. This comes from the album The Chopin Project which is inspired by the Polish composer’s music. Verses, the opening track from the album borrows themes from Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 3 (Largo).

Anna Meredith - Blackfriars (String Quartet Version)

With a steady pulse given by violin col legno, this piece features emotive harmonic clashes and grows steadily with the cello providing momentum, ending with an atmospheric, harmonic soaked outro.

Rebekah Reid - What Life Gifts

This track from Rebekah Reid is a masterclass in utilising different textures. Centring around a loop of violin harmonics, an ensemble of violins move seamlessly through chords, pizzicato textures appearing then disappearing.

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