Music does more than merely sooth the soulI have seen how people who are almost non-verbal and suffering from severe, age-related cognitive disorder can come alive in the presence of music performed live. Recorded music, especially the anodyne offerings of institutional background music, does not have the same effect. My own go-to places, musically, are what we have come to call classical music, and, even more, jazz. Except for some more out-there jazz (especially so-called free jazz), jazz as performed these days (and in the past) is highly organized and focused. And, one more thing, two great Canadian classical performers not to be missed are pianist Angela Hewitt and violinist James Ehnes.

Source: CBC News December 25, 2025 04:24 UTC