It could be worse.....

I might be a little biased since he is one of my favorite composers, but if you are feeling depressed, you should try listening to Shostakovich. This suggestion might be a new step in the history of psychology, for it does not come because he is lively and uplifting. Rather, if you are thinking that whatever you are dealing with is unbearable, listen to Shostakovich and realize that it could be worse. It has been stated (I believe by him) that Shostakovich never wrote a happy note. His music flows from some of the darkest points of Russian history. He wrote great music, but not "happy" music.