If night were a world of only darkness... "Sleep Harp & Cello supervised by a doctor of medicine"

If there were no stars or moon in the night sky, and night were a world of only darkness... how different would our lives be?

 

Starry Skies and Moonlit Nights

A night with twinkling stars and a softly glowing moon has been a fantastic and mysterious presence for people since ancient times. This beautiful night sky, while a part of our daily lives, possesses a charm that seems to draw us into another world.

In the world of music, many musicians, from J.S. Bach, active from the late 17th to the 18th century, to Claude Debussy, who opened new frontiers in Impressionism in the late 19th century, have drawn inspiration from the night and the starry sky, expressing their mystical beauty and tranquility in their music.

 

It is imaginable that in an era without electricity and with limited lighting, nighttime felt darker and longer than it does today. Moonlight and starry skies must have been much more precious and familiar then. 

Myths and legends inspired by people looking up at the stars in the night sky have been passed down through generations since ancient times, and wishes and prayers have been offered to the moon's phases, feeling the mystery of nature and life.

 

 

Influence on Musical Works

These human endeavors have influenced various musical works as musical styles transitioned from Baroque to Romantic, and further to Impressionism.

Numerous works with themes such as "moon," "dream," and "night" have been created across different eras. These were not merely beautiful melodies but also brought solace to listeners' hearts and deep emotions befitting the stillness of the night.

 

For example, Bach's "Goldberg Variations" is one of his iconic works. This piece is said to have been composed for Count Kaiserling, the Russian ambassador, who suffered from insomnia.

An anecdote tells that the young harpsichordist Johann Gottlieb Goldberg played it every night, helping the Count achieve peaceful sleep. The Goldberg Variations have thus been affectionately known as "music to induce sleep" since ancient times.

Knowing this episode, the fact that Bach healed people suffering from insomnia with music feels like a precursor to modern music therapy.

 

 

The Influence of Music on the Human Psyche

Since ancient times, it has been empirically known that music influences the human psyche. What systematized this knowledge is "music therapy." In recent years, it has gained increasing attention and is widely used in medical and welfare fields.

The pieces included in this work have also been selected with such music therapeutic effects in mind. In particular, the two instruments, "harp" and "cello," enhance the stillness of the night and invite the listener's mind and body into deep relaxation.

Furthermore, Dr. Hiroshi Bando, a medical doctor and music therapy expert who supervised this work, explains the characteristics of the harp and cello: "The high-frequency components of the harp stimulate the right brain, which is involved in emotion and creativity. On the other hand, the cello has many low-frequency components, which enhance the activity of the left brain, related to analysis and logical thinking."

 

 

The Tones of the Harp and Cello

 

The sound of the harp has a delicate and transparent quality, reminiscent of stars twinkling in the night sky. The rich overtones produced by the strings contain many high-frequency components, which are expected to stimulate the right brain and activate emotions and creativity.

The right brain is said to govern intuitive and sensory functions, and listening to it during the calm hours of the night will likely bring a sense of liberation to the mind.

 

Conversely, the sound of the cello is profound and calming, giving a sense of stability like a giant tree deeply rooted in the earth. The cello's low-frequency components are expected to activate the left brain, enhancing logical thinking and analytical skills.

The left brain is responsible for organizing and understanding things, and the resonance of the cello will give listeners a sense of security and help them maintain a calm mind.

 

 

Musical Work "Sleep Harp & Cello, Supervised by a Medical Doctor"

In this work, pieces originally composed for piano or harpsichord are also recorded, performed by harp and cello.

Additionally, for deeper relaxation and sleep induction, acoustic adjustments, named "Oyasumi Mix" (Goodnight Mix), have been added to further enhance the sound's expansiveness.

  

◆ Tracklist
#. Composer: Title
01. Debussy: Clair de Lune
02. Schubert: Lullaby
03. Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
04. Massenet: Méditation from Thaïs
05. Schumann: Träumerei
06. Debussy: Rêverie
07. Chopin: Nocturne No. 2
08. Traditional: Greensleeves
09. Fauré: Berceuse, Op. 16
10. Liszt: Liebestraum No. 3
11. Fauré: Après un rêve
12. Fleury: Mozart's Lullaby
13. Brahms: Wiegenlied (Lullaby)
14. J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations - Aria
15. Godard: Jocelyn's Lullaby

Harp：Track-1～4, 6～10, 12～14
Cello：Track-5, 11, 15 

 

Creator's Thoughts

At night, when you want to relax, when your mind is restless, or when you are falling asleep, we hope that listening to this work will help you regain mental stability and achieve deep tranquility.

The melodies played by the harp and cello will release tension in your mind and support moments of slow, steady breathing in silence. 

This work was created with the thought that "the beautiful world woven by the night sky and music still gently accompanies our hearts and provides peace and healing, even in modern times."

 

 

RELAX WORLD Editorial Team

 

 

"Sleep Harp & Cello, Supervised by a Medical Doctor"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product page is HERE

◆Artist: Classy Moon

◆Product number: QOCD-1793

◆Price: ¥1,980 (tax in.)

A collection of classical masterpieces for quality sleep, supervised by Dr. Hiroshi Bando, a medical doctor and music therapy expert.

Featuring famous classical pieces related to sleep, such as "moon," "dream," "night," and "lullaby," performed by "harp" and "cello," offering healing tones with rich overtones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital distribution jacket for "Sleep Harp & Cello, Supervised by a Medical Doctor"

 

Supervised by: Hiroshi Bando

Medical Doctor
Councilor of the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine
Branch Manager for Shikoku, Japanese Society of Integrative Medicine
Part-time lecturer at Tokushima University
Graduated from Tokushima University, obtained ECFMG certification, then completed clinical training in family medicine in the USA. Specialized areas include anti-aging, carbohydrate restriction, music therapy, and sports medicine. Competed in the National Sports Festival as an ice skater (1999-2003). Chairperson of the 9th Japan Music Therapy Society Conference (2009). Silver medalist at the 3rd European International Piano Competition (EIPIC) in Japan (2012). Chairperson of the Japan Primary Care Association Conference (2017).
Editor-in-Chief for four international English medical journals (2024). Authored over 30 books, over 2,000 publications, and over 400 English papers. Representative of the "Shin Rojin no Kai" (New Elders Association) in Tokushima.

Official website:https://pianomed.org/