Photo courtest of Pure Reading by Nonionik
I am currently reading the book 'Musicophilia: Tales of the Brain and Music' by neurologist Dr Oliver Sacks, for the second time. I first read this book about 2 years ago and it was one of the reasons why I started to learn the piano for the first time as an adult.
This book enforces the belief that music is very important to our every day lives and can move us to the heights or depths of emotion, tear at our heart or invigorate.
It is such a blessing that we can hear music and enjoy it. Some people in the population have amusia and have no appreciation for music. I couldn't live with out music. I am always listening to music, in my car and at home, and if I haven't heard anything from my favourites play list, I feel rather lost and not myself.
"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life." ~Ludwig van Beethoven
As this book explains, music can even facilitate healing of sick patients through the use of professional musical therapists, to help the patients speak again and give dementia patients some hope and memory. This book expands on the importance of music and how we need music and historically always have. Our brains are substantially altered by music and will change the anatomy of our brain, enlarging certain parts. This book also explains musical phenomenons like getting a song stuck in your head.
The most amazing story in this book is about a patient of Dr Sacks who is struck by lightning. Having a minor brain injury, he came out of a coma and was transformed into a concert pianist when before the accident was not musical at all. He could only think of piano music.
"Musical compositions, it should be remembered, do not inhabit certain countries, certain museums, like paintings and statues. The Mozart Quintet is not shut up in Salzburg: I have it in my pocket." ~Henri Rabaud
This book is quite involved and uses a lot of musical terminology. It is somewhat hard to read towards the end, but I still enjoyed this book so much and it has changed my life in several ways. If you are a musician, love music or learning how amazing the human brain is, this book is for you.
"Music is like counting, but counting unconsciously" Leibniz the philosopher.
Blog This challenge 11.
Sounds like a great read! I'll have to get my hands on a copy.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather has advanced dementia and spends his days lying in his bed in the nursing home making noises...rally loud, almost like he's trying to hum or sing. The only time he stops, and the only time he seems even slightly aware of anyone or anything is when my Mum sings to him or plays him music. It seems to calm him down.
Another on my to-read list, along with This Is Your Brain On Music.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is the coolest picture!
I have to say I LOVE that picture.. totally how I feel about my favourite books, lol.
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