A cellist at the end of life

A cellist at the end of life

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norman lebrecht

April 14, 2021

France Musique has a beautiful feature on cellist Claire Oppert, who plays regularly to dying patients in a hospital in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.

A graduate of the at the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow.=, Claire’s title is art therapist in palliative care. She takes requests.

Report here.

I think the cello would be the instrument I would most like to hear as I leave this life.

Agree?

 

Comments

  • Rogerio says:

    Seems kind of creepy to me.
    If I were dying and she showed up playing the cello, I recon I would be in the mood to tell her to f***-off.
    What great last words…

  • mel says:

    Totally agree. IMO no musical instrument evokes as much emotion — of both range and depth — as the cello.

  • Greg Bottini says:

    The instrument I’d like to hear last in this world is the piano – as played by Claude Debussy.

  • Pedro says:

    Cello and oboe would be alright … with the Beethoven 9 conducted by Karajan on my arrival to heaven, purgatory or hell, wherever he is. h-moll Messe would also be OK if Ferrier is there too.

  • David K. Nelson says:

    I have just been reading about the nursing home where the resident cat has an uncanny way of demanding to be admitted to the rooms of those who are soon to die. I’m not sure how I’d react to seeing the cat stare at me. Perhaps much as Rogerio would to the cellist?

    I do remember my violin teacher giving me a copy of the Far Side cartoon, showing people in heaven and hell. In heaven an angel says “Welcome to heaven, here’s your harp.” In hell the devil says “Welcome to hell, here’s your accordion.”

  • John Dalkas says:

    A neighbor spent her last days at that very hospice. Knowing Claire Oppert plays there gives me hope my neighbor found joy, comfort and peace during her illness.

    Thank you for posting this, Norman; the story and videos remind us of the magic of music, which brings us all to your site.

  • Marjie says:

    I have already told my favourite traverso player that if she hears Im in a coma or dying, Id like her to come and play. Ive spent a huge chunk of my life listening to music, and cant think of anything better than drifting out with music playing.

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