Books The Schubert Treatment A Story of Music and Healing Greystone Book Claire Oppert, translated by Katia Grubisic

"The Schubert Treatment: A Story of Music and Healing," by Claire Oppert and translated by Katia Grubisic, is a deeply moving memoir that highlights the profound therapeutic power of music, especially live cello performances, in hospitals and care centers. Oppert, a classically trained cellist and art therapist, shares her experiences playing music for patients with a variety of conditions, including autism, dementia, schizophrenia, and those in palliative care.

The book illustrates how music serves as a transformative connector, bringing patients into moments of joy, memory, and emotional release—even for those who are non-verbal or heavily medicated. Oppert's stories reveal moments where music sparks recognition, movement, and healing, helping people reconnect with themselves and others. The narrative includes reflections on how music affects the body and mind, supported by clinical trials showing music therapy’s ability to reduce pain and anxiety.