In situation, where job stress is so closely linked to the incidence of mental and physical problems, particularly for harpists, it is natural to search not only for methods of treatment, but also for ways of preventing such problems. Here, we turn to Hungary and the program of mental and physical fitness for musicians developed by Professor Géza Kovács and Zsuzsa Pásztor. This physical fitness program was founded in the 1958-1959 academic year at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. In previous years Dr. Kovács found that music students, even though they were selected through very rigorous entrance examinations, could not comply with the academic requirements. The Academy officials became alarmed at the increasing number of nervous breakdowns and suicides. Further investigation disclosed that many of these students had complained of breath, as well as sleeping and digestive disorders. The officials asked Prof. Kovács to study the situation to see if there was a connection between the physical and emotional problems.

During the next twelve years, Dr. Kovács researched this situation and found connections between these problems and the musicians’ work and lifestyle. He found that talent itself was not sufficient for developing the needed artistic level and that there must also be a balance among the intellect, spirit and physical condition. Musicians spend only a part of their time in musical pursuits; the bigger part of their time is devoted to their worldly cares. That is why their problems cannot be solved in the limited time spent in practicing or concertizing. Musicians should extend their attention to that other part of their lives, learning how to relax, how to spend their free time effectively, and so on.

Dr. Zsuzsa Pásztor-Négyesi, pianist and music pedagogue who herself had benefited from working with Dr. Kovács as a student, joined him in 1960 in both the mental and physical fitness program and in pursuing the research. Both Dr. Kovács and Dr. Pásztor-Négyesi give exercise classes in which males and females of any age can participate. They have developed special exercises for musicians and such a variety of exercises that during the ten years I worked with them there were never two identical classes. Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi always adjust their program, for example to weather condition, student present, individual conditions, and are attentive to the students’ energy level, allowing them to continue their music following the class. They also work with musicians individually, listening to their personal problems in their profession, advising them, giving them massages or exercises appropriate for their particular instrument. During the summer, they hold one or two one-week intensive sessions of their course.

A typical course begins with pleasant discussion where participants’ physical and mental states are gauged and taken into consideration. The subsequent exercises are all either progressive (i.e., with participants moving from one end of the gymnasium to the other) or utilizing various types of exercise equipment (e.g., a Swedish board where ladder-like rungs run up the wall, a jumprope, an elastic exerciseband, etc.) Two sample exercises follow out of literally hundreds developed:

Scything (Torso Expansion, Stretch and Limbering/Circulation) - Have the students stand with their feet two shoulder widths apart and bend down so that their arms hang down. Have them swing their arms up to the right, the right arm swinging up and the left arm bending upwards. Make sure they follow their fingertips with their eyes. Have them repeat on the left side.

Side Bend (Balance/Torso, Neck and Head Expansion and Stretch) - Have the students curve one arm above their heads and one arm below their waist behind their backs so that their arms make an “s” shape. Then have them bend from the waist to the side whose arm is lower and then return to an erect posture. Then have them switch hands and repeat, bending the opposite way.

During the exercises, Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi often compliment individual participants, give pleasant advice or anecdotes and generally interact with every participant. Latecomers are always pleasantly welcomed. However, Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi’s assistance does not stop with the class. Rather, individual consultation, including advice about the musicians diet, daily schedule (practice, sleep) walking, and concert preparation, etc. is given. The musician can also turn to Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi with confidence.

As a result of participating in these courses, musicians do not have to stop playing their instruments, nor to give up their professional life . Also, they are taught how to prevent the injuries associated with their profession. Since the inception of the program, the rate of mental and physical problems among musicians at the Academy has fallen dramatically. To give a personal example, in the early years of my harp study, I could hardly practice fifteen minutes without severe pain in the upper back and elsewhere. However, often attending Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi’s mental and physical fitness program, the pain gradually went away until after about two years, it has completely subsided. Thus, with continued participation in this program or daily home exercise, I can practice virtually limitless hours without pain. In this respect, my experience is characteristic of the majority of participants in this holistic program.

Currently, Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi continue this important work. On August 20, 1996 Dr. Kovács was presented his country’s highest achievement award, Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, in recognition of his great life’s work contribution to the intellectual, spiritual and physical condition of all performing artists. Both Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi have published extensively in Hungarian (Kovács and Pásztor 1965, 1973, 1976, 1980a, 1980b, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990) and also present their work to musicians (in Hungarian) on the following topics: care of the musician’s hands, correct breathing, maintaining a healthy auditory system, causes of deteriorating musical ability, measurement of musical accomplishment, negative effects of the music profession on the nervous system, signs of negative effects on the hormone system, preparation for physical movements without the instrument. In addition, they offer demo video tapes in English, and English language (and in the future other language) translations of some exercise series are in preparation. For the non-Hungarian-speaking readership, both Professors Kovács and Pásztor-Négyesi speak German, but other speakers of other languages may participate by imitating other attendees. The atmosphere is such that all are welcome, regardless of language, age, or physical limitation. The intensive summer courses are always conducted in both Hungarian and German, but other arrangements may be possible if made in advance. For musicians attending the intensive course from abroad, some practice time can be arranged in advance. The summer intensive course runs from 8 A.M. to 1 P.M. daily at the Music Conservatory of Debrecen. For additional information about the course or available publications or cassette or video tapes, please contact :

Dr. Zsuzsa Pásztor
H-1092 Budapest
Ráday u. 47.