There is increasing evidence now from the US and the UK to show that listening to live music in hospital not only improves patients’ mood and sense of well being, but more importantly could also have an important role in the healing process. The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London for example has carried out research into “musical therapy” and has come up with some interesting results. According to Dr. Rosalia Staricoff who carried out the research: “The physiological benefits have been measured. Music reduces blood pressure, the heart rate, and hormones related to stress.” The same study also discovered that patients who listen to live music recover more quickly and need fewer drugs than those who do not.
SymPhar decided to take the initiative in Poland to bring the healing power of music to patients with a series of concerts to be repeated throughout Poland. The first series were held daily from 24th to 28th July at the Banacha Hospital in Warsaw. The concerts were performed by a string quartet from the Nowa Orkiestra Kameralna (www.nok.org.pl) under the direction of Paweł Kos-Nowicki and performed a program of Mozart, Bach, Dvorak, Vivaldi, Pachelbel and some Polish popular favourites. The concerts were organized in an informal, informative and participatory manner and the audience were delighted not only by the enchanting playing of the young quartet but also by the amusing and informative insights into the music given by Mr. Kos-Nowicki before each piece. As a bonus, the patients were also invited to participate in the performance of certain pieces
Photos : Bianca Lucas
solo: D. Romicka, M. Kos-Nowicka
Nowa Orkiestra Kameralna
dyr. Paweł Kos-Nowicki
