Our Radio Show and blog celebrates the life and work of Dr. Bo Larsson, Medical Doctor, musician, husband and family man.
Many of the world’s medical doctors, mathematicians, biologists, chemists, scientists, engineers, writers, teachers, and others have studied and played musical instruments since they were children. These eminent individuals have integrated music into their thinking process. Included is an article on the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument.
Our article of the month is “Lifting the Corners of Your Mouth Is Your Hidden Superpower” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Radio Show Feature Question for November 2021: How does Classical music play a part of Dr. Bo Larsson’s life as a medical doctor and musician and which musical instrument does he play?
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/one-minute-radio-show-2021/
Many years ago, I began researching the scientific link between studying and playing a musical instrument and academic and societal success. I asked the “American Amateur Chamber Music Society” to ask its members to write in about their connections between studying a musical instrument and their academic success.
Dr. Bo Larsson wrote and shared his musical career and his scientific one with me on September 26, 1995. He began studying the violin as a child and has continued to play throughout his life.
He wrote, “you are working to show a coordination between music study and the disciplines of medicine, science and mathematics. I am interested in your study, even if I do not know how ambitious and “scientific” it is. It is my personal impression that, as a matter of fact, there is such a correlation, but my impression is just impressionistic and rather subjective.”
Dr. Larsson, “My view is founded on the following observations:
1) My own string quartet consists of three physicians and one civil engineer.
2) As a medical student I started and conducted a string orchestra almost only of medical students.
3) Many of the members of the Mazer Society of Stockholm, of whom I am one, seem to be professionals, engineers, and even mathematicians. The Mazer Society is a society consisting mainly of amateur musicians but also of some professional musicians.
4) I know that quite a few members of my own professional society, the Swedish Psychoanalytic Society, are accomplished musicians.
5) During one of the world congresses of The Association of Physicians against Nuclear Weapons, held in Stockholm some years ago, we were, with quite short notice, able to form a symphony orchestra, which performed even newly composed music during that congress.”
Dr. Frank, I wrote Dr. Larsson back, thanking him for taking the time to write his observations and that they were very insightful!
Several years later my husband and I were visiting Sweden and arranged to meet with Dr. Larsson. We went with him to visit the Marienkirche Church (St Mary’s).
The composer and organist, Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) played there when he was 20 years . Buxtehude’s father had been the organist at St Mary’s several years before his son was the organist. The church was built in the 14th Century and has a beautiful painted ceiling. During WWII the ceiling was covered with a paint to protect the original ceiling. In back of the church was a beautiful Rose Garden of many different colors. We also traveled with Dr. Larsson to visit Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s Castle) in Helsingør where Shakespeare set his play “Hamlet”.
My husband and I had a wonderful day visiting Sweden with Dr. Larsson and talking and sharing with him the research on the correlation between studying a musical instrument and the disciplines of medicine, science, and mathematics.
Dr. Bo Larsson is a Medical Doctor, Psychoanalyst helping to heal his patients for over 30 years, a husband, family man, and lifelong musician.
Lifting the Corners of Your Mouth Is Your Hidden Superpower by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
One of the best examples of success via optimism is Sir Winston Churchill.
His candor, wit, and belief in building up others helped him lead England from the darkest shadows of WWII to victory over Nazi Germany.
It’s not just my opinion, here are several others:
When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of England, German air force was “dumping planeload after planeload of bombs on England” at all hours of the day or night. “No one knew whether the British empire would be able to hold out for another week.”
Despite the bleak outlook of the Nazis running over France, Belgium, and Holland. Joseph P. Kennedy, the American ambassador in London, “told Washington that Britain was finished.”
Cameron C. Taylor wrote,” In the mists of the gloom and turmoil and in the face of what seemed to others like impossible odds, Churchill took office with optimism and determination.” (*8 Attributes of Great Achievers by Cameron C. Taylor)
Churchill understood the power of optimism to set the foundation for victory.
On the day he took office, Churchill wrote, “I felt as though I were walking with destiny that my past life had been but a preparation for this hour for this trial . . . and I was sure I should not fail.”
Churchill’s key to his courage “was his unbounded optimism,” Optimists are courageous as they depend on the hope “that dangers and hazards can be overcome.”
In 1910, Churchill said, “I am one of those who believe that the world is going to get better and better.” He “deprecated negative thinking”. In 1916, in “a speech to his officers in the trenches in France, Churchill exhorted: ‘Laugh a little, and teach your men to laugh. . . If you can’t smile, grin. If you can’t grin, keep out of the way till you can.’”
On May 13, 1940, Churchill gave his first speech as Prime Minister to the House of Commons. He said, “You ask, What is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory . . . victory in spite of all the terror, victory however long and hard the road may be . . . with all the strength that God can give us. . . I take up my task with buoyancy and hope, I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail.” (Winston Churchill, The Second World War, Volume II, Their Finest Hour)
Just after becoming Prime Minister in 1940, Churchill “was advised of a doomsday plan to be implemented in the event of a full-scale German invasion of Britain.” He “would not permit contingency planning for failure, knowing it would inevitably leak out and breed pessimism.”
The plan: “The royal family and top members of the government would be evacuated to Canada. Churchill flatly vetoed the proposal adding, ‘We shall make them rue the day they try to invade our island’” (Celia Sandys and Jonathan Littman, “We Shall Not Fail”)
Even during the worst of times, Churchill remained optimistic and confident that they would achieve victory.
During a B.B.C. broadcast, Churchill proclaimed: “We are resolved to destroy Hitler and every vestige of the Nazi regime. From this, nothing will turn us—nothing. We will never parlay, we will never negotiate with Hitler or any of his gang. We shall fight him by land, we shall fight him by sea, we shall fight him in the air, until, with God’s help, we have rid the earth of his shadow.”
“Churchill not only saw reasons for hope and confidence in the darkest days of World War II but he was able to infuse his unique combination of stoicism and optimism into the very backbone of the nation, the armed services, and his own staff.”
Leo Amery, a minister in Churchill’s government said, ‘No one ever left his cabinet without feeling a braver man.’ . . . Great leaders bring out the inner strength that people often do not know they possess.”
Churchill empowered others to be their best selves!
“Churchill’s determination to never give in and his optimism that victory would be achieved enabled his country to fight boldly and courageously through tremendous difficulties and also rallied the support of other countries in the cause until victory was achieved.”
The free world owes a debt of gratitude to Prime Minister Winston Churchill. At 66 years of age he inspired, motivated, and propelled his people to fight. He was a leader with a positive attitude; in the face of adversity.
On January 24, 1965 Churchill died. “Over 300,000 people passed by his casket and millions watched the funeral proceedings” by television paying “their final respects to the man who helped change the course of history.”
Churchill presided over one of the great and most dramatic turning points of civilization. His actions were pivotal in the shaping of the world that we live in today.
“He knew that if he could rally the mind, spirit, and heart of the British people, they would eventually emerge victorious. Churchill not only saved Britain from defeat but now in retrospect, he saved democracy as a form of government in the world. Here was truly a single individual whose life made a profound difference to everyone on our planet.” Hyrum W. Smith, What Matters Most (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000) .
What 3 lessons on leadership did Prime Minister Winston Churchill teach?
1) Be optimistic and confident. “Bring out the inner strength of people.”
2) Churchill, ‘Laugh a little, and teach your men to laugh.”
3) “If you can’t smile, grin. If you can’t grin, keep out of the way till you can.”
Churchill was a builder and lifter of people. © 2021 Madeline Frank
If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: [email protected]
“8 Benefits of Learning to Play an Instrument” (Dec. 26, 2019)
Top reasons to study a musical instrument. “You’ll become smarter.” By learning to play a musical instrument you learn to focus and concentrate which will improve your academic work.
You will also “Improve your memory” by learning to read the musical notes on the page in different rhythms, and playing chords. By learning these new skills your brain will become accustomed to learning and your memory will improve helping to organize your thinking processes. Studying a musical instrument helps you be creative. For example, by learning your favorite holiday song you will be able to play it for your family and friends during the holidays. This will improve your confidence too!
https://www.sanantoniomusicschools.com/music-lessons/
The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. is available in book form, and newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook:
com(Kindle)
“Musical Notes On Math” by Dr. Madeline Frank teaches your child fractions and decimals, the fun easy way, through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent To Parent Adding Wisdom Award is available in book form, newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook.:
com(Kindle)
Madeline’s Midnight Melodies- Music From around the World”. This CD complements her books with a blend of dance music, gigues, tangos, ballet and favorites including “Danny Boy”, Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, Debussy’s “Claire De Lune” and others. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” is music to relax by and to move by for music therapy. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” CD is now available for purchase by downloading a song, downloading the album, or by CD by clicking below:
Download Your Copy Today! Amazon | iTunes |
Dr. Madeline Frank’s book “Leadership on a Shoestring Budget” is available through amazon. To order your copy as an e-book on Kindle click on the following link:
Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving from your Non-Invasive Medicine…Music Expert, Madeline
For over 30 years, Dr. Madeline Frank has helped children and adults overcome problems through Classical music. Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an award-winning teacher, author, researcher, speaker, conductor, and concert artist. She has discovered a scientific link between studying a musical instrument and academic and societal success. Madeline Frank earned her Bachelor and Master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Her education has included scholarships at the Juilliard School, Indiana University, and the University of Cincinnati and she has a violin performance diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts. (C) 2021 Madeline Frank