The physics are sensual: a rosined bow purposely glides across a string, easing it into harmonic motion. The vibrating wire sends off a wave that caresses a tympanic membrane. Once the eardrum is stroked, an electrochemical extravaganza ensues. Neurons fire in a symphony of sparks and flashes, endorphins waltz through the bloodstream and pleasure receptors pulse in ecstasy.
Humans are undoubtedly wired for sound, especially music, which can elicit a score of emotions from joy and bliss, to agitation and consternation. Despite music’s power and presence in life, the human affinity for melody remains a mystery to the scientific community. We’re analyzing the links between Bach, the brain, and behavior, trying to resolve the evolutionary tension between biological necessity and sensory stimulation.
Guests:
Mark Tramo, musician, songwriter, and neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School;
David Huron, musicologist at Ohio State University;
Robert Zatorre, professor of neuroscience at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University.