Q&A; / BILL HIGGINS AND JEANNINE STEIN : Who Plays While They Work?

What kind of music do you like to listen to when you operate?

Dr. Lawrence Schwartz, ophthalmologist: “Based on patient preference, we play everything from Thai folk music to Mozart. The only music I don’t allow is heavy metal and rap--it’s just not very soothing for relaxing patients for cataract surgery. My personal favorite is Neil Diamond, but we’re at the mercy of anesthesiologists. They’re the ones who supply the cassettes. Luckily the anesthesiologists at Cedars-Sinai are renowned for their extensive collections.”

Dr. Leon Bender, urologist: “Ten years ago I would have said classical music--Beethoven or Dvorak. Now I find myself listening to country--Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Reba McEntire. It breaks up some of the operating room tension. As the years go by and you become more confident in your ability, you don’t need the music to have such a serious tone.”

Dr. Patrick Abergel, cosmetic surgeon: “Tapes of classical piano. I wouldn’t be able to do surgery without the music. It puts everyone in a good mood--the patients, the nurses and especially myself. In Paris, I had a good friend, an older surgeon, who would play guitar to his patients. He was famous for that. The patients would be so relaxed, they were almost asleep long before the surgery.”

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What kind of music do you like to listen to when you cook?

Hugo Molina, executive chef, the Parkway Grill: “When I cook I like to listen to jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. What else is there? When I’m working I usually like happy music. I don’t like to listen to opera, anything that slows me down. Sometimes mellow music helps you to think while you’re at work, but not for me. If I’m upset, then everybody’s upset, they’re afraid, they get quiet and it kind of throws them off a little bit. So music kind of helps me out; it’s very important.”

Leonard Schwartz, executive chef, Maple Drive: “I don’t like to listen to music when I’m working. When I’m cooking at home I do, but at the restaurant it’s too distracting with the other people around. Cooking at home I listen to a lot of rock--U2, Peter Gabriel, the Eurythmics. They give me energy, I like the rhythm of their music. I like the droning sounds of U2 and Peter Gabriel. It gives me a sense of calm.”

Agostino Sciandri, executive chef of Toscana, Terrazza Toscana, Rosti and Oli Ola: “My favorite music is from the ‘50s and ‘60s. I’m 50 years old, so it takes me back. The ‘60s were a very easy time. I was in England from ’61 to ‘70, and it was a lot of fun. The music relates to that. It carries you through, and you forget about everything else. I don’t follow much of the new music now. Sometimes when I come into the restaurant I hear this heavy-metal stuff, and I let (the staff) listen to it for a little while, and then I change it. It’s not my type, it’s a little fast for me. Music is very personal.”