Last week, my week began and ended with Rachmaninov.

On Monday, my son was performing as a finalist in the West Suffolk Young Musician of the Year, playing Rachmaninov’s  Prelude in C Minor.  As his mum, I was incredibly proud of him thought he played it brilliantly of course (but what do I know – I only got to Grade 3), however it was not quite enough to put him in the final.  

Then, on Saturday my son and I attended a concert by the Wolsey Orchestra at the new Apex Concert Hall in Bury St Edmunds – the second half of the evening was devoted to Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor.    I was in heaven, and it was wonderful to hear the great man’s music once again, this time put to orchestra.

Later on, reading the programme, I found out that, after a disastrous early career performance, Rachmaninov sunk into a deep depression, from which he found it impossible to lift himself out of.   It was only after the intervention of a Russian hypnotherapist, Dr. Nicolai Dahl, that Rachmaninov went on to compose and perform once again.

Rachmaninoff, in his memoirs, tells the story:
 “My relations had told Dr. Nicolai Dahl that he must at all costs cure me of my apathetic condition and achieve such results that I would again begin to compose. Dahl asked what manner of composition they desired and had received the answer, ‘A concerto for pianoforte,’ for this I had promised to the people in London and had given it up in despair. Consequently I heard the same hypnotic formula repeated day after day while I lay half asleep in my armchair in Dr. Dahl’s study, ‘You will begin to write your concerto ….You will work with great facility ….The concerto will be of excellent quality ….’ It was always the same, without interruption.
Although it may sound incredible, this cure really helped me. Already at the start of the summer, I was composing once more. The material accumulated, and new musical ideas began to stir within me – many more than I needed for my concerto. By autumn I had completed two movements …. These I played that same season at a charity concert …. with gratifying success …. By the spring I had finished the first movement … and felt that Dr. Dahl’s treatment had strengthened my nervous system to a miraculous degree.
Out of gratitude I dedicated my Second Concerto to him.”

I have always believed in the power of hypnotherapy to heal, but the point here is that, not only did this intervention restore Rachmaninov’s confidence, but lead to a positive flow of creativity, which resulted in such a wonderful legacy that we can all enjoy.

I have found that, with many of my clients, whatever treatment plan they are following, this development of their creative side tends to be a by-product of the treatment, even if it was not sought initially.   It seems to lead to a flow in ideas, possibilities and options, where before there had been a block.   And, quite remarkably, this flow continues long after treatment.

If you feel that your confidence needs lifting and your creative side needs some help, do contact me on 01449 780352 or 0781 715 8429 to find out how hypnotherapy can help.
I do not promise that you will be composing piano concertos, but you will make wonderful new discoveries about yourself.