Music is Sanity
Violinist Robert Vijay Gupta joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the age of 19. He made his solo debut, at age 11, with the Israel Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. He’s got a master’s in music from Yale. But his undergraduate degree? Pre-med. As an undergrad, Gupta was part of several research projects in neuro- and neurodegenerative biology. He held Research Assistant positions at CUNY Hunter College in New York City, where he worked on spinal cord neuronal regeneration, and at the Harvard Institutes of Medicine Center for Neurologic Diseases, where he studied the biochemical pathology of Parkinson’s disease.
Robert Gupta, violinist with the LA Philharmonic, talks about a violin lesson he once gave to a brilliant, schizophrenic musician — and what he learned. Called back onstage later, Gupta plays his own transcription of the prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1.
on 27 Mar 2010 at 11:22 pm 1.Marie said …
What a fantastic subject Ajay.
Music should be teached to all children in the world
when they learn to speak.
Neurones are pure and free of annoying things and
children would quickly know that music is kind of
“salvation” as well, as it helps us in not getting totally
“mad” in our world where violence is shown each second.
Music can be made sith a single leaf against our lips, and
children are so clever.
Music is a medication as well as staying in the silence just
looking at fishes in an aquarium. It helps to “cool down”
and to retrieve calm and inner peace.
on 30 Mar 2010 at 6:12 pm 2.Nimesh Dadia said …
This is profound and what he says is so moving and can just melt one. Its a must watch a every school, university, every institution and people who have lost the sense of wonderment in the minutest things and phenomenons around us.
Lao Aju, I am in tears. I can only think of this beautiful Ode.
Ode To a Chestnut on the Ground by Pablo Neruda.
From bristly foliage
you fell
complete, polished wood, gleaming mahogany,
as perfect
as a violin newly
born of the treetops,
that falling
offers its sealed-in gifts,
the hidden sweetness
that grew in secret
amid birds and leaves,
a model of form,
kin to wood and flour,
an oval instrument
that holds within it
intact delight, an edible rose.
on 30 Mar 2010 at 6:21 pm 3.Michele Roohani said …
Great comment by my friend Marie…even a little bit of music goes a long way and in this case, the almighty BACH can’t go wrong!
I am encouraging a friend of mine to do a documentary film about Bach—A master piece about a master musician, the king of musicians and the musician to the kings!
on 30 Mar 2010 at 6:25 pm 4.Michele Roohani said …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ovt3vSFi8
on 30 Mar 2010 at 8:13 pm 5.Entropy said …
Dear Marie, Nimesh & Michele..
Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts..
Michele special thanks for connecting the story with YouTube video –
The Soloist: Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers
on 31 Mar 2010 at 3:12 pm 6.Bhavesh Bangdiwala said …
Music heals.
The very talented Violinist Mr. Vijya Gupta spoke true of fellow Musician Mr. Nathaniel. I have seen the movie ‘The Soloist’ and as I watched Jammie Foxx immerse into the character of the troubled musician, it hurt me see such a talent living on the streets and being tormented by his medical condition.
I was in tears of joy when I heard the young Mr. Vijay Gupta tipping his hat off to Mr. Nathaniel, and acknowledging the genius that resides in the heart of Mr. Nathaniel by making music with him. It feels good when you see someone fighting his demons, stand up each time he falls. Mr. Nathaniel did fall one too many times and with the help of trusted friends and his violin, he rose up on every occasion.
Not only the above video is a tribute to Mr. Nathaniel and his accomplishments, but it’s a tribute to all those who seek music as a medium to heal.
The world of music keeps us connected with a strong bond of love, faith and friendship.
on 01 Apr 2010 at 6:44 pm 7.Parul said …
Wonderfully inspirational….mind has impossible possibilities……
on 06 Apr 2010 at 5:42 pm 8.Neha Mehta said …
Music has the power to heal and music helps connect one to his innermost core. The very beginning of the universe was from a set of sounds, the origin called the Nada Brahm in our Vedas.
The basic frequencies are the core of our existence and disharmony in the core leads to physical and mental derrangements. It is absolutely amazing to hear someone voice your beliefs!
Thank you, Mr. Gupta and encore Mr. Nathalien.