Music vs Valium: Are they evenly matched?

Well, check this research:
Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim. 2007 Jun-Jul;54(6):355-8.

[Music versus diazepam to reduce preoperative anxiety: a randomized controlled clinical trial]
[Article in Spanish]
Berbel P, Moix J, Quintana S.
Departamento de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Clínica del Dolor del Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, Barcelona.
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of music to that of diazepam in reducing preoperative anxiety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized to 2 groups to receive diazepam or listen to music on the day of surgery and the previous day. Just before the operation, anxiety was assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure were also recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred seven patients were enrolled. No significant differences in any of the outcome measures (anxiety, cortisol level, heart rate, or blood pressure) were found between the 2 groups (music vs sedative). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that music is as effective as sedatives for reducing preoperative anxiety.

The Music of Celtic Woman!

I am basking in the beauty of the concert I went to over 48 hours ago and I still cannot get enough of their music. Have you seen "Celtic Woman?" They are a fantastic group of beautiful Irish women that sing from th heart in a way I have never heard before. I've been told that we humans tend to respond to the music of the country from which our ancestors came. That ancient music is literally remembered in our DNA. If that's true, I must have lots of ancestors from Ireland because this music moves me in a way that I cannot ever remember feeling. I want to laugh, cry, dance and sing and I noticed that everyone around me at the Palace Theater in Louisville seem to be feeling the same! If you have a chance to hear "Celtic Woman" do NOT miss it!!

Music and the Mind-Body Connection

Do you believe that music can connect the mind and body? I sure do because it happens to me every day. When I was in college I discovered at one point that when I was studying for a music history exam I could remember a specific piece by always sitting in the same place when I listened to it. At exam time, I could hear Prokofiev's 5th symphony, opus 100 (for example) and know immediately that that was my kitchen table piece or my den rocking chair piece or my bedroom piece. My ear/brain/mind was inseparately connected to my memory of my body and there was no question about which piece I was listening to. To this day, I can listen to the Dvorak cello concerto and remember exactly how my dorm room at Florida State looked. That was the first place I heard that gorgeous piece and I listened to it over and over there. Same with Kodaly's "Hary Janos Suite," and William Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast." Music is powerful for me and for you. How can you harness that power to make your life better??

The Music of a Child

This afternoon I had a powerful musical experience. What is it about the profound innocence of a child that moves us to tears? A friend sent me this youtube video of little 6 y.o. Scottish girl, trying out for the "Britian's Got Talent" show. Her voice is pure as an angel when she sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." As you listen to this, notice within yourself what feelings and memories and thoughts sweep over you. And enjoy!

Christmas Eve in Our Nation's Capitol

Greetings from our nation's capitol!! I've had a wonderful holiday visiting my daughter Allison and her husband in Washington, D.C. The music has been awesome during the two times I went to the National Cathedral. The first time was the Lessons and Carols on Friday night and then yesterday morning's 11:15 service. The choir there is simply heavenly and I heard many beautiful anthems, carols and solos that I had only heard on CD's before! For me, it's the music that makes the season come to life for me and I have had a musical feast this year. One piece that stands out for me was an organ fantasia on "Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella" at the national cathedral on Friday night. Please enjoy the fantastic music this holiday season!!

What does Christmas Music do to us?

For me, there is something magical about certain holiday music. Last week-end, when I was in S.C. visiting my mother for her 82nd birthday. At her retirement center, I had occasion to hear several different music boxes playing Christmas music. The one in this little video clip was particularly charming and brough back memories of childhood Christmases and dreams of Santa bringing all the toys I ever wanted.

Music does that! It literally transports you to another time and place and for a moment you are time traveling. You will notice at the end of this video that I was brought back into the present suddenly by "someone" asking me if I'm ready to go! Enjoy! BTW, in this little video you'll see the decorations that won my mother first place in the center's holiday decorating contest!

Final Luvisi-Bach Recital Tonight

Tonight was the final concert by Lee Luvisi, my piano professor of 35 years ago! He has been performing all 48 preludes and fugues from Bach's "Well-Tempered Klavier." The series took four weeks with one concert each week. These preludes and fugues are masterpieces of contrapuntal music and he played them all masterfully. The most amazing piece to me was the double fugues in G# minor that he played tonight. It was as complex as a fugue can get and has not only 5#'s but also F double #!!
Everytime I go to hear Lee play it brings back floods of memories from when he was my piano professor and all the pearls of wisdom that he taught me and that I pass along to others on a daily basis.
He's retired from U of L now but he obviously will be playing for decades to come! If you ever have a chance to hear him,don't miss it!