Soulful tunes: Pianist Yoni Farhi plays to patients in the rehab unit
Every month esteemed pianist Yoni Farhi plays at Reut Rehabilitation Center to patients who are hospitalized in the rehabilitation ward. "I was told that people in wheelchairs will not enjoy classical music," he says, "but I discovered that the healing power of music affects everyone"
Once a month, the occupational therapy room at the Reut Medical Center in Tel Aviv turns into a concert hall. The patients who are hospitalized there for extended periods of time turn into an enthusiastic audience.
Some of the patients – many are army veterans and victims of car accidents – cannot rise from their chairs to give a standing ovation. Some cannot even clap their hands. But Yoni Farhi, a talented, award-winning pianist who plays there voluntarily, accepts them with a huge smile.
"At first people told me it won't work. That people in pain will not appreciate classical music. Four concerts later, I know they were wrong," Farhi, who serves as the musical manager of the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, says. "Music in general and particularly classical music has a healing affect; it lifts the spirit and revives the soul. Playing to patients of the rehab ward is, in my eyes, a realization of the essence of music."
Farhi does not mind playing a simple piano in a medium size room in the hospital. "When I play I feel the audience and I know whether they're enjoying themselves or not," he says.
"You can't always receive direct feedback from some of the patients but you can sense them connect to the rhythm," says Alisa Maria Malika, a German volunteer. "Live music has a stronger effect than recorded music and you can actually feel the patients embrace the music even if they cannot move."
Like Alisa the patients are thrilled. "I am not a fan of classical music and while I am hospitalized my need for it grows. Music makes me feel good. It's the best medicine," says Rina Lerman. Eli Samira, who's been hospitalized at Reut since he was wounded by a terrorist 12 years ago, hopes to listen to other types of music as well. "Classical music is very soothing but every now and then I'd like to hear a little trance," he declares.
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