Artists’ choice: Most therapeutic music in time of COVID-19

(First of two parts)

“If you think artists are useless, try to spend your quarantine without music, books, poems, movies and paintings”—so said an anonymous quote that has been making the rounds on social media.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend life and stoke fear and anger around the world, people have, indeed, been turning to the arts to make home isolation bearable, at the very least; and to restore some sense of normalcy in these trying, unsettling times.

Music, in particular, has been one of the more popular and accessible forms of entertainment. They say it soothes and heals weary souls; a respite or an escape from reality. And musicians of different disciplines are more than happy to provide just that—from the comforts of their own homes—through live streamed shows on different online platforms.

But what type of music is best for easing one’s anxiousness? For uplifting one’s spirits? These are questions National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab has been getting a lot from his family and friends. The answer is simple, really, he said—listen to songs you love.

Ryan Cayabyab

“There’s not one kind of music that will help you relax. Taste, after all, is subjective,” the acclaimed composer-conductor told the Inquirer in a recent interview.

“The most therapeutic type of music is the one that makes you happy. That’s what I tell people,” he added. “Music you grew up listening to and reminds you of your childhood. Music that reminds you of your first love and crushes. Music that lets you relive your heydays. Music that helps you reaffirm your love for your parents and family.”

“Songs that you have personal affinity with.”

Gerard Salonga, who was named resident conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra last year, is currently stuck in Kuala Lumpur. “This is a sobering time for us as a species. Just when we think we have mastered our environment, it shows its power and we realize that we’re really not masters of anything at all,” he said.

Gerard Salonga

For Salonga a piece of music that aptly encapsulates all these is Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6” or the “Pastorale.”

“The last movement is all about the feeling of gratitude after a violent storm … I look forward to the time we come out of this, thankful for what we have and mindful of what we were able to overcome,” he explained. “The symphony is also about the smallness of man and the humility and love we should have toward nature.”

Salonga, who’s also the conductor and musical director for ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, has likewise noticed that there has been quite a surge in uploaded content from artists, “who themselves are experiencing difficulties in this situation.”

“People will turn to the arts for comfort. We always do, and especially in times like these,” he stressed. “The arts inspire and uplift. Every emotion can be accessed, and for this time, people need to be inspired and hopeful.”

Like Salonga, the soprano and songwriter Lara Maigue also gravitates toward classical music.

“I listen to a Chopin piece every day, or an aria from a popular opera. I search for music from the baroque, classical, romantic periods. Music doesn’t always have to have words. Sometimes, the melody alone, or the instruments that communicate with each other are enough,” she said.

Lara Maigue

The classical crossover artist has always been a firm believer of music and arts—and the “magic” they spark.

“I can’t imagine all the noise I will be hearing in my head, especially during these uncertain times. Music is hope. And people cling to hope,” Lara pointed out. “Music heals and that’s exactly what we all need right now … Music takes you to a world you want to be in, it brings you places. And it would be nice to allow music to take you somewhere nice for the time being.”

In times of sadness, Cooky Chua of Color it Red, “for some reason,” finds herself listening to Manila Sound, as well as disco mixes from the 1970s. “I’m not sure why, but the music from that era is comforting to me. Hotdog, VST and Company … their songs compel you to dance,” she said. “And when I want to reflect or relax, I listen to jazz standards and classical music.”

Cooky Chua

The arts play a big role in boosting people’s morales, she said, especially with “all the stress, sickness and death” around us. For her part, Cooky took part in the recording of an all-female rendition of the Eraserheads hit “With a Smile,” together with Melody del Mundo of Sugar Hiccups, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Acel Bisa-Van Ommen of Moonstar 88 and other band vocalists.

“It was Melody’s idea. Our purpose is to uplift people’s spirits, and give hope and inspiration in our own way,” Cooky related.

To all the “valiant frontliners,” Yael Yuzon of SpongeCola dedicates the rock band’s inspirational anthem “Puso,” whose lyrics go: “Humanda ka na sa paglipad / Pakpak nati’y ilalantad / … Ang puso iaalay / Sa laban…”

Yael Yuzon

“Aside from entertaining, music can galvanize, promote solidarity, inspire people and take us back to simpler times,” he said.

Yumi Lacsamana, one of today’s most viable songwriters, has been spending the past couple of weeks listening to “uplifting songs,” including “High” by Lighthouse Family, “When You Believe” by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, and “Just Stand Up,” an inspirational, charity song performed by an-all star ensemble, including Mariah, Beyonce, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige and Carrie Underwood.

Yumi Lacsamana

“We can all say that music makes life so much better. Music is one of the elements that calms your mind and lifts your spirit. Music is a universal language that can connect a group of people with a simple lyric,” related Lacsamana, one of the people behind some of this generation’s definitive pop hits, like Sarah Geronimo’s “Kilometro.”

The acclaimed folk musician Bayang Barrios is thankful to have been blessed with the gift of music, which she, in turn, uses to help other people.

Bayang Barrios

“Art and its many forms transcend our imaginations and soothe our emotions. It’s like a massage that relaxes our minds and spirits,” said the singer-songwriter who listened to Sarah McLachlan and Gary Granada songs, as well as meditation music to ease her worries. “Or sometimes, I hum the song ‘Pananagutan.’

“I always pray before sleeping, too, so I may wake up each morning feeling thankful,” she added.

(Conclusion tomorrow)