I have been asked to suggest ‘soothing’ music that could be played whilst a baby or very young child is in the room. Quite a challenge. (The friend who asked me agreed when I said that most of the music I enjoy tends to be loud!) The trouble with much classical music is that there are so many dynamic changes within a single piece, that it’s impossible to maintain a consistent level of volume, and no parent or nanny can cope with constantly dashing to the controls every time the sound goes up, or down. But here are a few suggestions.

The symphonies of Haydn are mostly gentle and amiable and even in the vigorous movements, if you keep the volume low this might be a civilising experience for the growing child. Elgar collected some of the music composed when he was very young, and out of it created two collections called the ‘Wand of Youth Suites’ ; there are some lovely tunes there, some more lively than others. I am fond of the piano music of Gabriel Faure, and Kathryn Stott has recorded many of his pieces.

The piano duet ‘The Dolly Suite’ – which he later orchestrated- is particularly attractive. Similarly Ravel’s tuneful ‘Mother Goose Suite’ might be suitable.

Some of Delius’s music has a quiet lyricism that a baby would enjoy. Written when he was working in his father’s Caribbean plantation, his ‘Florida Suite’ contains some sprightly, flowing music. ’The Walk to the Paradise Garden’ and similar works – no longer much in favour these days – wouldn’t tax a young mind. Acoustic guitar music can often provide a gentle background and I see there is a Naxos disc played by Norbert Kraft called ‘Guitar Favourites’ (8.553999). Mozart piano concertos would be a good bet (for me No.17 is the loveliest), and there is another Naxos disc recently issued, ‘Mozart for Meditation’ (8.557651) which could be just the job.

And then of course, there is Tchaikovsky. Whilst he can do the decimals in full force, there is some lovely music in the ‘Nutcracker’ Suite and in some of his smaller piano pieces, as well as the orchestral ‘Capriccio Italian’. Schubert’s six Moments Musicaux and his Impromptus for piano are lovely, preferably played by the great Alfred Brendel. Vaughan- Williams is for me an uneven composer, but his work ‘The Lark Ascending’ is simply beautiful beyond words.

The best answer to my friend’s need is probably to browse in a music shop amongst some of the compilation CD’s which gather together music suitable for a particular mood.

B.R.