A few weeks ago, a social worker from Little Tokyo asked if I would make a music video for the residents at a senior home. They started isolating themselves from the fear of contracting COVID-19, weeks before governments mandated it. And many of the residents at this particular home were not comfortable with English: Thus, the music video with no intro or narration.
This is my 32nd day of social distancing. So, the residents must have been stuck in their room for close to two months now. According to the social worker, some of them were showing signs of depression, like lack of appetite and disengagement.
As I shot and edited the video, I thought about their circumstances, the lives they must have led, and their thoughts about their future. I wanted them to know that I cared, and wanted to share. I wanted to share with them what I thought was beautiful about this world and our lives.
Neuroscience tells us that human brains like familiarity in music. So, I started the video with the most familiar of the classical repertoire to us all – Clair de Lune and Moonlight. These two pieces also happen to share the key (D-flat Major and C-sharp minor). So, continuing that, every piece I chose for this video are in the key of D-flat (or C-sharp), thus making the transition from one piece to the next more seamless.
The course of the video is a journey starting from the more contemplative, slower pieces, gradually going to more upbeat, more colorful and lively pieces. This is meant to increase your heart rate and uplift your mood. The last Gershwin is a little dessert.
Here is the program:
- Debussy “Clair de Lune” from Suite Bergamasque
- Beethoven “Moonlight” Sonata: 1st mov from Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27-2 (4:44~)
- Chopin “Raindrop” Prelude: Op. 28-15 (10:02~)
- Scriabin Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op. 9-2 (15:40~)
- Liszt “Un Sospiro (A Sigh)” from Three Concert Etudes (21:55~)
- Gershwin “I Got Rhythm” Piano arr. by G. Gershwin (28:18~)
The beautiful nature photography were all generously provided for this project by photographer, Taro Yoshida. Thank you, Taro-san!! I arranged it so that the photos become brighter with more colors as we go from one piece to the next.
Photo by Taro Yoshida 
Photo by Taro Yoshida
Please enjoy the video. Subscribe to my channel (I am four susbscribers away from becoming a YouTuber!). Please also “Like” and comment! And most importantly, please share the video to those who you think may benefit from this video. We are all in this together. Let’s empower ourselves by helping each other. Help me reach out to the world with the healing power of music!