Music to help you during Coronavirus
Many of our patients enjoy spending time with our Music Therapist, Ann Beresford. Ann has kindly written a guest blog for us with some suggestions for music you might find helpful during this time.
Hello,
In these strange alarming days we’re living through, we all need to find ways of not just coping, but soaring above our circumstances and finding release and relief from the stress of our new imposed lifestyles.
Like never before, we’re each being confronted with our own mortality and for some of us, we may find ourselves seeking a higher strength, a deeper meaning to our humanity, and a greater appreciation of life itself.
Most of us find music to be a vehicle that calms our spirit or releases new energy for us, physically, mentally and spiritually. As a Music Therapist at St Catherine’s I’ve been asked to suggest a few pieces that I find have that profound effect.
Obviously we each have our own tastes and preferences, and what touches me may not have the same effect on you, but here are my choices – I hope you find listening to some of them helpful:-
For physical calming and slowing the heart rate:
Arvo Part: Spiegel im Spiegel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ6Mzvh3XCc
Air on a G string: Bach – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMkmQlfOJDk
Adagio for strings (choral version All Angels): Samuel Barber – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k90bcBy_vzg
Piano concerto no.2, 2nd movement: Shostakovich – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQgpKv__pbw
Miserere: Allegri – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n9EyT1R3l0
For reflection and lifting the spirit:
I really encourage you all to listen to this one – For me, the lyrics are amazingly relevant right now:
The Prayer: Celine Dion & Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbviXG_56ss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8DGuvab_Lc
You Raise Me Up: Josh Groban – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJxrX42WcjQ
Somewhere Over the Rainbow – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSZxmZmBfnU
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2JlDnT2l8
Lean on Me: Bill Withers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZ-MySzAac
What a Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGKqH26xlg
Songbird: Eva Cassidy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTNLYeaL7No
The Lord bless you and keep you: Rutter – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCpxgEHqjFA
How Great Thou Art: hymn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBLRsUMtuFQ
For Energising – cheering up!:
Happy!: Pharrell Williams – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZSe6N_BXs
I Will Survive: Gloria Gaynor – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARt9HV9T0w8
Olly Murs: Dance With Me Tonight – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3EG4olrFjY
Amazing Grace: hymn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoJz2SANTyo
In addition, I‘d encourage everyone to watch:
Andrea Bocelli’s Corona Virus reflection/concert from Milan Cathedral – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huTUOek4LgU
And to join in singing Gareth Malones Great British Home Chorus every day – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaLGHvdHfRMfkl2yQNMOmp4eJCHxBAI6m
