Wednesday, March 15, 2023

A Perfect Example Of The Power Of Music, And How It Can Deeply Touch The Heart

Our two most potent memory invokers are fragrance and music. 

Having been in the fragrance industry for over 30 years, I can tell you through research and my personal experience that scent has the ability to invoke strong memories; whether they are positive or negative. The moment you smell something, such as a perfume, certain foods, spicy pipe tobacco, a flower or an herb, you will immediately correlate it to a memory. Therefore, in the future, whenever you smell that aroma, the memory will be reignited.

And it's the same with music. 

I can hear a recording of Nat King Cole singing Smile and instantly think of my mother because it was one of her all-time favorite songs. In fact, whenever I hear it, I get very emotional because my heart becomes filled with such wonderful memories.

I can also hear a recording of YMCA from The Village People, and am reminded of my 1970s pot-smoking disco party days in New York City; wearing platform shoes and a polyester shirt.  

And what I find so magical about music in particular, is that it's universal. Meaning, it doesn't matter the language of a song, you can still understand it because music overrides any language and goes straight to the heart. 

Music is the one language we all understand. 

For instance, I remember seeing the Italian opera La Boheme without reading the subtitles that were projected above the stage, and knowing exactly what the singers were conveying because I could feel it through my entire body. I didn't need to see the words. 

Which brings me to the reason for my post today. 

A few days ago, while sitting in my favorite cafe sipping an Americano, I discovered a reel on Instagram and was immediately taken in. 

The title was: "Ballerina with Alzheimer's Remembers Her Golden Days"

Her name was Marta Cinta González Saldaña, and she was a principal dancer, choreographer and artistic director of her own company in New York City “Rosamunda”

In this short reel, she appears with Pepe Olmedo, who is a psychologist and a musician. 

It is amazing to see how after just a few seconds of listening to Tchaikovsky’s music for Swan Lake, Marta remembered her golden days.

And please note how at one brief moment in the video when Marta gets confused, Pepe ever so gently lifts her hand and kisses it; instantly reconnecting her to the music. It's so touching. 

This moment captured on video is a perfect example of the power of music!

(Just click on the start button and it will take you to the Instagram post. Also, be sure to click on the unmute button before watching)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ballet Dancers | Dance Content (@balletworldconnected)

(*here is the link to the Instagram post in case the above link doesn't work)

Have a beautiful week, everyone! 💗

*Note: You will find more information about the life of Marta Cinta González Saldaña at The Ballet Herald.