New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Heart surgeon joins virtual concert
Dr. Michael Coady, a Stamford heart surgeon; Pinchas Zukerman, a world-renowned violinist; and guest cellist Amanda Forsyth will be among the performers in “Together Again,” Stamford Symphony’s annual gala and concert.
This free virtual event, Saturday, Oct. 24, celebrates the orchestra reuniting with the community in a new way, while also paying tribute to how so many have come together during this challenging year.
Aside from Coady, who has been studying and playing piano since he was 5, and
Zukerman, an Israeli-American musician/conductor who will perform Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor, the lineup includes Stamford Symphony’s music director, Michael Stern, conducting Grieg’s Holberg Suite.
Coady, chief of cardiac surgery and co-director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at Stamford Health, says playing piano and performing chamber music is very important to him because it’s “enjoyable and relaxing,” while offering constant stimulation and intellectual challenge.
He feels “the foundation and study of piano” has also had a direct impact on his
success as a surgeon. “It’s taught me perseverance, discipline, and has enhanced my listening skills as well as my ability to be emotionally connected with my patients,” he said.
As Coady sees it, performing open heart surgery is “strikingly similar to playing piano,” in that both require dexterity, precision and energized focus for extended periods. He shared more about his musical endeavors, via email.
“A few years ago, I joined the After Arts Group, which is designed for professionals who pivoted careers from music to another discipline: ie., medicine, business, law,” he said. “Through this group, I’ve had increasing opportunities to play with a number of incredibly talented people.
Coady will perform Beethoven’s Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds, Op. 16.
“The piece was published in 1801 in two versions — as a quintet for piano and winds (oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon), and as a quartet for piano and strings (violin, viola, and cello),” he said.
All three performances will be accompanied by Stamford Symphony musicians. There will also be a grandstand performance by the Stamford Symphony of Dvoák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World, 2nd movement (“Goin’ Home”).
“Together Again” is free and takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. To register, visit http://bit.ly/togetheragain20