In this time of uncertainty, music can be a source of comfort and healing. 

At all other difficult times in the history of our region, the JSO has been able to be a way to bring people together. However, i n keeping with guidance from the CDC, we have canceled all of our public events through May 10, so we must find other ways to connect. 

A few times a week, we will share a playlist with you, curated by our Music Director James Blachly and the JSO artistic staff. 

We invite you to send music of any genre that you have found healing to us at [email protected] . Preferable formats are YouTube and SoundCloud clips, or share the title and the artist and we'll see if we can find it!

 Playlist #1: Beethoven Heals

For Day 1 of this playlist, I am sharing the third movement of Beethoven’s string quartet in A minor, Opus 132.

This music had a particular meaning for Beethoven. He had been suffering a serious illness, one that he believed would be fatal, and composed this music after recovering.

We do not yet know the full impact of this virus on our community, our country, or the world. But I believe that this music can help us as we heal those in need.

Personal Note: When I first heard this music, it had a profound effect on me. I turned out all the lights and lay down on the ground. I can still remember the feeling of this sound pouring through me. The world melted away and time stood still. I also remember feeling a sense of awe that such incredible beauty was possible. This recording by the Quartetto Italiano is the same one that I listened to very frequently as a young man, eventually wearing out the CD and buying another.

I want to close with another invitation for you to share with us any music that has been healing for you by sending an email here ; we will then create playlists and share them with our entire JSO community. 

With healing thoughts,

James Blachly
Music Director, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra
Special thanks to March partial concert sponsors Luther P. Miller, Inc.
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