Notes and Neurons

In 1998, the Governor of the state of Georgia in the United States of America decided to distribute free classical music CDs to every baby born in the state! This may have astounded many but what is even more surprising is that the decision was made in response to a study by a psychologist named Francis Rauscher who developed a theory known as the Mozart effect. The study basically suggested that early childhood exposure to classical music has beneficial effects on mental development. Many such interesting anecdotes were shared by Professor Michael Trimble, a neurologist from England in conversation with Chennai-based neuropsychiatrist Dr.Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy in a recent webinar titled “Your Brain & Music”. 

Professor Michael Trimble

 A fundamental curiosity exists as to why humans listen to music. The undeniable fact is that the brain knows and is aware of music through neural codes. Even visual input does not go as directly and intimately into the brain as much as sound. The reason for this is that humans are mammals. As a result of this, they are known for their maternal behaviour. Professor Trimble explained how mothers introduce infants to rhythm through gentle rocking movements while cradling and how even a newborn child becomes perceptive to music through the cultural practice of mothers singing lullabies, which exists across the world. 

Dr.Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy 

Another intriguing phenomenon relates to how many opera singers have died while performing on stage. In 1960, Leonard Warren, a renowned baritone died while performing an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi titled La forza del destino. The last words he uttered on stage were part of an aria that began with the words ‘Morir, tremenda cosa’, which means ‘to die, a momentous thing’! Professor Nigel Osborne, a music composer and educator from England analysed this phenomenon through a new technology he co-invented known as the X-System. Delving deep into the texts of 50-60 librettos where the on-stage deaths of lead singers occurred, the team noticed that there was a startling correlation between the pieces and the autonomic nervous system. He found that the characters in certain operas had autonomic instability written into them and this had a profound impact during performances. 

Leonard Warren - A renowned baritone

Giuseppe Verdi

A poster for the opera La forza del destino

A scene from the opera depicted in a painting

The main aim of the X-System is to treat epilepsy and to eventually extend it to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is fascinating to note that almost half a million tracks are used in the system to examine which types of music enhance overall well-being and creativity. The final playlist that was put together contains numerous classical music tracks including Indian classical music that is raga-based. Classical music was found to be highly relevant to the biomusicological concept of entrainment which refers to the synchronization of organisms to an external perceived rhythm such as humans responding to music and dance. Other topics of interest that were explored in the webinar related to how music can trigger memories and how music is powerful at stimulating emotional responses.   

(This article was originally published in The Hindu on 8th March, 2024)