I personally recommend these music pieces for contemplative prayer practices, including Audio Divina; they are all in my playlists that I use for writing and/or praying. In my book "Comfort" (coming soon), you may want to choose from these pieces when you are encouraged to find a specific type of music that speaks to you.

Instrumental

Classical

• Arvo Pärt - "Spiegel im Spiegel" for piano and violin (sometimes replaced with another instrument like cello). A profound piece that embodies stillness and peace through its minimalist approach. The gentle piano arpeggios and floating violin lines create a meditative atmosphere that many describe as transcendent. [YouTube reference: search "Arvo Part Spiegel im Spiegel"] 
• Ralph Vaughan Williams - "The Lark Ascending" Originally for piano and violin, sometimes performed with solo violin and orchestra. This composition captures the essence of light and transcendence as it musically portrays a skylark soaring heavenward. The violin solo represents the bird's flight toward divine light. [YouTube reference: search "Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending"]
• Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy" The triumphant final movement embodies courage and gratitude with its celebratory chorus. The structure brings beautiful order from complexity, reflecting the journey from chaos to harmony. [YouTube reference: search "Beethoven Ode to Joy Symphony 9"] I especially love solo piano versions, e.g. Charles Segal.
• Samuel Barber - "Adagio for Strings" This piece moves from tension to profound serenity, opening the heart through its emotional journey. Its structure creates a sense of transcendent peace that emerges from emotional intensity. [YouTube reference: search "Barber Adagio for Strings"] 
• Enno Morricone Sergio Leoni Suite: Deborah's Theme from Once Upon a Time in America (I especially love Yo Yo Ma's version).

• Górecki - Symphony No. 3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs) The second movement especially embodies serenity through adversity and finding courage in suffering. Its minimalist approach creates a profound sense of spiritual transcendence. [YouTube reference: search "Gorecki Symphony 3 second movement"] 
• Ludovico Einaudi - "Divenire," "Primvera" and "Passagio" These piano-driven pieces represent the journey from chaos to order creating a sense of transformation and expansive gratitude. I have the entire "Islands" collection on my playlist.[YouTube reference: search "Einaudi Divenire"]

• "Pange Lingua Gloriosi" (Gregorian Chant) A contemplative chant that evokes profound silence and stillness. Its modal melody and unaccompanied voices create a sense of timelessness and peace. [YouTube reference: search "Pange Lingua Gregorian Chant"]
• Te Deum" (Gregorian Chant) A powerful hymn of thanksgiving and praise, this ancient chant embodies gratitude with a sense of ordered beauty. Its structured form represents divine order while conveying deep reverence. [YouTube reference: search "Te Deum Laudamus Gregorian Chant"]

Sacred/Traditional

• Hildegard von Bingen - "O Virtus Sapientiae" Medieval sacred music from the 12th century that creates a serene, meditative atmosphere while celebrating divine order. Hildegard's compositions often explore the relationship between humanity and divinity. [YouTube reference: search "Hildegard von Bingen O Virtus Sapientiae"]
• Arvo Pärt- "Da Pacem Domine"

• Voices of Ascension - "O Virga ac Diadema"

• Taizé Community - "Ubi Caritas"  ·

• Russian Orthodox Monks - "Let My Prayer Arise"

• Eric Whitacre - "Lux Aurumque" Translating to "Light and Gold," this choral piece creates an otherworldly atmosphere of comfort and light through its lush harmonies and ethereal sound. [YouTube reference: search "Eric Whitacre Lux Aurumque"]
• Olafur Arnalds - "Fyrsta" A modern neo-classical piece that embodies silence and peace through its contemplative piano and subtle string arrangements. Its simplicity creates space for inner reflection. [YouTube reference: search "Olafur Arnalds Fyrsta"]
• John Rutter - "For the Beauty of the Earth" A contemporary choral piece expressing heartfelt thanks for creation and life's blessings. Its accessible melody and harmonies convey genuine gratitude with an open heart. [YouTube reference: search "John Rutter For the Beauty of the Earth"]
• Eric Whitacre - "Sleep" This choral composition captures serenity and the peaceful ordering of thoughts. The interweaving vocal lines create harmony from complexity, suggesting order emerging from chaos. [YouTube reference: search "Eric Whitacre Sleep"]
• Morten Lauridsen - "O Magnum Mysterium" A contemporary choral piece that opens the heart through its lush harmonies and sense of awe. The composition creates moments of both tension and serene resolution. [YouTube reference: search "Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium"]
• John Tavener - "What God is Not We Do Not Know"
  This contemporary classical piece for cello and string orchestra creates a sense of divine light and comfort through its soaring melodies and luminous harmonies. [YouTube reference: search "Rodolfus Choir What God is Not We Do Not Know."]
• Max Richter - "On the Nature of Daylight"
  A contemporary string composition that creates profound emotional comfort through its cyclical structure and warm harmonies. The piece evokes a contemplative, peaceful state. [YouTube reference: search "Max Richter On the Nature of Daylight"]
• George Winston Ike la Ladana

• George Winston Three Pieces from the Snowman/Walking in the Air

• Ola Gjeilo - "Northern Lights"

• Byron Wolfe "Higher Calling

• Byron Wolfe Innocent
  A delicate piece that evokes purity and vulnerability. Its restrained expression allows emotional openness, creating space for healing through gentleness and self-compassion.[YouTube reference: search "Byron Wolfe Innocent"]
• Alexis Ffrench "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (I love the entire "Peace" album)
  A contemporary choral piece inspired by the composer's experience of the aurora borealis. It creates a luminous sound world that evokes the play of light in darkness. [YouTube reference: search "Alex Ffrench Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"]
• Pat Metheny Here There and Everywhere

• Keith Jarett and Charlie Haden "For All we Know"
  With elegant simplicity, this duet distills the essence of presence and connection. The restrained piano and bass interplay exude comfort and acceptance, helping the listener process grief or emotional complexity.
  [YouTube reference: search "Keith Jarrett Charlie Haden For All We Know"]
• Keith Jarett and Charlie Haden"One Day I'll Fly Away"
  A meditative reflection on release and transcendence. The performance captures a yearning for liberation, making it a powerful piece for letting go and finding peace amid emotional transition.[YouTube reference: search "Keith Jarrett Charlie Haden One Day I'll Fly Away"]
• Enya - "Watermark"
  Known for her atmospheric, layered vocal arrangements, this piece creates a meditative quality that invokes stillness and peace without specific religious references. [YouTube reference: search "Enya Watermark"]

Native American Tradition

• R. Carlos Nakai - "Within the Sacred" (I love his whole collection: Canyon Trilogy) Native American flute music that echoes the natural world and creates a profound sense of peaceful stillness. The open spaces between notes are as important as the notes themselves. [YouTube reference: search "Within the Sacred"]

With Words

• Shaker Hymn: Simple Gifts; Yo Yo Ma and Alison Krauss 

          [YouTube reference: search "Simple Gifts Yo Yo Ma Alison Krauss"]

• "His Yoke is Easy" from Handel's "Messiah" (Part 1): National Youth Choir of Great Britain

           [YouTube reference: search "His Yoke is Easy"]

• Here I am Lord (The Lord of Sea and Sky)

         [Youtube reference: search "Here I am, Lord"];
         For example, Eric Tom's version: https://youtu.be/EcxOkht8w7c?si=zTr8UmnTf2ZsrPtj

• Halelujah (by Leonard Cohen) I have many favorite versions, but here are a couple of them:   

Nature-Inspired Classical Pieces