NEW YORK - Joshua Bell, one of the greatest violinists in the world, wanted to thank hospital workers. But instead of playing for them he decided to perform with them.

"For me it's just a way of saying thank you," said Bell.

What You Need To Know

  • Joshua Bell, one of the most renowned musicians in the world, wanted to say thank you to medial workers on the frontlines of the pandemic 

  • Many musicians have performed for or in tribute to frontline workers, but Bell wanted to play with them

  • With a strong connection between music and medicine, many doctors and nurses are incredibly accomplished musicians themselves

  • With the help of Carnegie Hall Bell performed Winter from Vivaldi's Four Seasons with a dozen doctors and nurses; many from NYC including surgeon Anthony Vine and emergency physicians Celine Thum 

In between long hours in the operating room at Mount Sinai Hospital, surgeon and musician Anthony Vine diligently prepared for this performance of Winter from Vivaldi’s “Four seasons.” Carnegie Hall helped orchestrate.

"We all know the joke ‘how do you get to Carnegie Hall? practice practice practice.’ but I've known that 40 years since I started playing and here it is and it's so exciting to me. It's a privilege," said Dr. Anthony Vine a Surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital on the Upper East Side.

The dozen medical workers chosen for this unique ensemble are all incredibly accomplished. Sarah Kapinos, a nurse in Maine, plays violin for patients. She was thrilled to be asked to participate.

"Oh my God I have no words he's always been my favorite violinist," said Kapinos.

Emergency physician Celine Thum has been in the trenches here in the city during the pandemic and is also a fan.

"When I got that message that I could collaborate with Joshua Bell who I've followed since I was a little girl, starting to play violin when I was five, it was a really highlight," said Thum.

"We wanted at Carnegie Hall to pay tribute to the doctors and nurses. it seemed to actually able to  pay tribute to them as Musicians as well as doctors and nurses was the perfect way to do this," said Executive Director Clive Gillinson.

"And I hope maybe after this in a few months or whenever we can get past the pandemic to some degree we can all get us all together in the same room and play some music. That would be fun," added Bell.

Maybe I shouldn't have but I did mention that to the musicians.

"I hope that's true. Definitely a dream come true especially since everything we've been through this year, just something to look forward to and really aspire to," said Thum.

This work is a show of gratitude, to all who've made a difference during the pandemic .

"Thank you so much for everything you do every day," said Bell.

You can watch the collaboration between these accomplished doctors and nurses and the acclaimed violinist at www.carnegiehall.org.