Mimi Ezust wrote:

>But where is our profound musical 'home'?  Who are the composers we most
>turn to when we are feeling like we want to cleanse our tastebuds?

For me, it changes over time.  Also, it isn't just the piece...only a
specific performance will do it for me...

Most of what I look for emotionally is renewal and reflection on the
human experience.

A few things which frequently turn up on my "play lists."

Hindemith: Symphonic Dances (Tortellier recording)...the finale in
particular

Hindemith: Nobilissima Visione suite (Monteux, Boston Symphony
broadcast)...again, the last movement, a passacaglia

Both Hindemith works seem to uplift my spirits, almost to the point where
I am reminded that there can be good in the human spirit.  Kinda odd
when I reflect on the persona of Hindemith, especially in his later
years.

Walton: Hindemith Variations (Szell)

Schuman: Symphony No.6 (de Waart conducting, a broadcast performance)

Schuman: Symphony No.7 (broadcast, Munch, Boston SO)

Barber: Symphony No.2 (Alsop, Minnesota Orchestra broadcast)

Debussy: La Mer (broadcast, Koussevitzky, New York Philharmonic)

Shostakovich: Symphony No.8 (broadcast, Koussevitzky, Boston SO)

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No.6 (broadcast, Barbirolli, Boston SO)

Ravel: String Quartet (Juilliard Strg. Qt.)

Mahler: Symphony No.10 (Adagio) (I still like the old Wyn Morris
performance)

Copland: Inscape (broadcast, composer with the Boston SO)

Mennin: Symphony No.7 (broadcast, Szell, New York Philharmonic)

Lees: Constellations (broadcast, Monte Carlo, DePriest)

Dello Joio: Fantasy and Variations (BSO recording)

Certainly a mixed bag...Lots of "uppers."

These days, there seems to be very little music written before 1890 or so
that holds much meaning for me.

Karl