The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal soothes patients to sleep at the Montreal Children's Hospital

For a child, moving to a new home can be scary.  No matter how state-of-the-art that home may be, it is an unfamiliar place, with new sounds and where everything is strange.  Falling asleep can be difficult.  That's why the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation is honoured that, on May 26, Maestro Kent Nagano and musicians from the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal volunteered their time to perform a series of lullabies to help patients and their families adjust to the new facility and soothe them to sleep.

In an unprecedented partnership between the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation and the OSM, the atrium of the new Children's was transformed into a one-of-a-kind concert hall just two days after the big move, complete with a giant bed for patients and their families to enjoy the performance in comfort.  Under the direction of Maestro Kent Nagano the musicians performed pieces specially selected for a very special audience.

Among the selections played for the children were: 

• Bach, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, II. Largo ma non tanto
• Beintus, yuuyake koyake (Burning Sunset)
• Dvořák, Symphony no. 9 in E minor, op. 95, « From New World », II. Largo
• Brahms, Wiegenlied, op. 49, no. 4

"The OSM is eager and grateful for this opportunity to bring the gift of music to patients and families," says Maestro Kent Nagano.  "It is our sincere hope that through these timeless masterpieces of the classic repertoire we can help ease the transition to the new Children's and enhance the healing environment."

"Having the OSM perform live for our hospitalized patients is an absolute privilege. We cannot imagine a better way for our kids to get used to an unfamiliar environment and to welcome them to the new Children's," added Marie-Josée Gariépy, President of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.

ABOUT THE MONTREAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

The Montreal Children's Hospital is the pediatric teaching hospital of the McGill University Faculty of Medicine. The Children's is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from all across Quebec. The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation raises funds to help the Children's remain on the cutting edge of teaching, research and care. The Foundation raised $105 million in its Best Care for Childrencampaign to build the new state-of-the-art hospital on the Glen site, which opened its doors to patients on May 24, 2015. For more information, please visit childrenfoundation.com.

ABOUT L'ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE MONTRÉAL

Since its founding in 1934, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal has distinguished itself as a leader in the orchestral life of Québec and Canada. As a cultural ambassador of the highest order, the OSM has earned enviable reputation worldwide, thanks to its numerous recordings and tours of the highest quality. The OSM, under the direction of Music Director Kent Nagano, continues this rich tradition, while distinguishing itself through innovative programming that aims at updating the symphonic repertoire, and at firmly establishing the OSM's position within the community. In September of 2011, the OSM and Maestro Nagano inaugurated the Maison symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestra's new home. Inaugurated on May 28, 2014, at Maison symphonique, the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique was generously offered to the OSM by Mrs. Jacqueline Desmarais.