Why Music Moves Us - Milton Mermikides

How is music able to convey and trigger such range and depth of emotion? Why does it elicit joy, sorrow, consolation and the chills?

Employing research and theoretical models from neuroscience, psychology and musicology, we examine the extraordinary ways that primal and conditioned listening combine to such complex emotive effect.

Examples from pop, jazz, rock, film, global, traditional and classical forms are presented under the light of nostalgia, visual imagery, emotional contagion, rhythmic entrainment, aesthetics, expectation and the extra-musical.

This lecture was recorded by Professor Milton Mermikides on 14 September 2023 at LSO, St Luke's Church London

Milton is Gresham Professor of Music.

He is also Associate Professor in Music at the University of Surrey, Professor of Guitar at the Royal College of Music, Deputy Director of the International Guitar Research Centre and an Ableton Certified Trainer.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[hansbleuer]

Was für eine interessante Präsentation!

[bobnewmanknott]

My goodness what a wonderful and instructive lecturer , thank you so much, from that first recording of the emotional lullaby I was hooked

[sammu]

Fantastic lecture! I learnt so much. Thank you!

[LoudLin]

What a wonderfully insightful and emotional lecture!

[gerryjamesedwards]

Moving, thoughtful and massively informative. What a fantastic lecture.

[GNARGNARHEAD]

I really loved that circle of fifths visualization over the moon, would love to get that as a real-time playing aid

[marilynwoolford-chandler]

Wherever we find people we find a great opening sentence.
I have met only two people who claim to be sisters among the birthright Quakers of the small islands in the south Pacific called by some Aotearoa.

[nibbleniks]

Chopin, Bach, Celtic, Enya. Even bagpipes. Schubert, Brahms, and on.

[vladimirp]

Needless to say, music accompanies man from civilization birthright, humming in caves, had had a divine and inspiring part in Rome and Athens, ominous it was on medieval battlefields, solemn in courtyards and castles. It tremendous vitality mingled with delicate filaments of our inner world, soul itself. Music summons different emotions, evokes reminiscients, gives zeal for life. Apparently, it is like an Ariadne's thread, will-o'-the-wisp in the gloom of everyday routine. Token of gratitude to editors for delivering this scientific revenue.

[karinlawrence]

Rorogwela? "Endless Lullaby"? Recorded in 1969?
Surely it's "Sweet Lullaby", the smash hit from 1992 by Deep Forest!
Did the original singer receive proper attribution from Deep Forest? I certainly hope so.
Did Deep Forest add anything of merit to this rapturous song? I don't believe so.
But those inclined to finding out for themselves can google both the original rendition from 1969, and the appropriated one from 1992.

[JJONNYREPP]

Why Music Moves Us 1207pm 19.9.23 music is important. they, whoever they are.... sad defunkt and insane people, find no virtue within it. many folk have suggested without music there's no life. indeed, that is true. i take the view that i would rather enjoy the magik of it being played/listened to as opposed to learning about the theoretical aspects of the holy of holies... you cant play? .just get up an make a racket!! you can play? then go to it! i should be asking: where's the music i ordered a few weeks back?

[lorekallyre]

here. also. answer qu soon talk show yrs?