On Friday 5 December, world-renowned pianist Lang Lang gave a surprise lunchtime performance to patients, families and staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The event was part of the Lang Lang Foundation’s Music Heals initiative – a programme that brings high-quality live music directly into healthcare settings – and was delivered in partnership with the CW+ Arts for All programme, which provides daily music, performance and creative activities for patients and staff. Both programmes use the arts as a tool for healing and improving the hospital experience.Â
About Lang Lang and Music Heals
Lang Lang is recognised as one of the world’s most celebrated classical pianists and is a UN Messenger of Peace. He has performed on the world’s greatest stages and inspired millions of young musicians worldwide through the Lang Lang Foundation. The visit also marked a milestone as Music Heals, a new initiative from the Foundation, was brought into an NHS hospital setting for the first time. The programme uses music to bring comfort and hope to people facing illness and other life challenges.Â
The transformative power of music
‘Music can comfort, inspire and heal,’ said Lang Lang. ‘With Music Heals, we share music’s emotional and psychological benefits, offering hope and a way people and families to heal through music.’Â
Reflecting on the hospital visit, Lang Lang added, ‘Performing in a hospital environment is incredibly moving and meaningful. To see how music can bring moments of joy, peace and connection during challenging times reminds me why this work is so important. Music has the power to reach people when words cannot, and sharing that gift in this setting has been a profound honour.’Â
A powerful partnership
Music Heals launched initially in the UK with plans to expand to the United States and China, bringing hope and healing through music to communities worldwide facing illness, bereavement and mental health challenges. The partnership with CW+ helps to shine a light on the charity’s ongoing mission to make music and art an integral part of patient care.
Why CW+ champions arts in healthcare
Roger Chinn, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Medical Officer, said: ‘The Arts in Health programme run by our charity CW+ makes this hospital a truly special place, enhancing the experience of patients, families and staff alike. Hospitals can be difficult places, where people find themselves at very challenging times, so being able to give everyone in our community a moment to enjoy something as inspirational as Lang Lang’s performance was incredibly valuable.’ Â
Chris Chaney, Chief Executive of CW+, said: ‘We were delighted to welcome Lang Lang to our hospital. His performance was a celebration of what we do every day to enrich the amazing care our hospital staff provide. This furthers our year-round commitment to bringing music, art and creativity to our hospitals, because we know the profound difference it makes to patients and staff. We want to see these benefits spread as widely as possible across the NHS.’ Â
Support our Arts for All programme
With your support, we can continue bringing joy to our patients through music, art, dance and more.
