From Oxford psychiatrist Storr (Churchill's Black Dog, 1989, etc.):
a lucid and absorbing study of the relationship between music and
the human experience. Storr's fluidly logical exploration begins
with an assessment of various theories on the origins of music.
After considering theories connecting music to natural phenomena
like bird-song or linguistic features, Storr concludes that,
although the origins of music will never be established
conclusively, "it seems probable that music developed from the
prosodic exchanges between mother and infant which foster the bond
between them." Using terms such as "arousal," "expectation." and
"fulfillment," later chapters explore physiological and
psychological responses to music, bravely probing the 'issue of
musical meaning as both an intellectual (objective) and emotional
(subjective) stimulant. Occasionally, Storr's own musical
observations are a bit simplistic: "Bach's extraordinary skill
maintains our interest; but it is an interest based on elaboration,
symmetry, and rhythmic pulse, rather than upon progress." But this
does not detract from the author's larger vision. The bibliography
reveals an incredible breadth of erudition: Storr quotes widely and
with equal comfort from scientific, philosophical, and literary
sources, ancient to modern. Like Oliver Sacks, he leads his reader
effortlessly through a capacious synthesis of diverse material
without resorting to unnecessary technical jargon. Readers with
their own inchoate reflections on the nature of music will be
grateful to have Storr investigating and clarifying their
experiences in such elegant, taut prose. (Kirkus Reviews)
Why does music have such a powerful effect on our minds and bodies? It is the most mysterious and most intangible of all forms of art. Yet, Anthony Storr believes, music today is a deeply significant experience for a greater number of people than ever before. In this challenging book, he explores why this should be so. Drawing on a wide variety of opinions, Storr argues that the patterns of music make sense of our inner experience, giving both structure and coherence to our feelings and emotions. It is because music possesses this capacity to restore our sense of personal wholeness in a culture which requires us to separate rational thought from feelings, that many people find it so life-enhancing.
“Anyone who feels like reflecting about the origins, the impact and the significance of music will find Dr Storr’s book helpful and stimulating.”
ALFRED BRENDEL
“This beautifully written book, humane, intelligent and thoughtful, is a significant contribution to our understanding of those mysterious movements of the mind.”
ADAM LIVELY, 'Times Educational Supplement'
“It is stimulating inquiry aimed at discovering what it is about music that so profoundly moves so many people, in the course of which he describes the physical effects of mescaline, considers the relation of bird-song, the burbling of babies and the language of literature to music, and touches on many other fascinating topics, concluding that its most significant aspect for us is its power to create order out of chaos.”
FRANCES PARTRIDGE, 'Spectator'
“Reading Storr’s work is always like being taken on a journey through a foreign country by a great enthusiast. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the language because he teaches you what you need to know along the way. His knowledge is vast and his enthusiasm infectious…Storr is an extraordinarily gifted communicator.”
MARY LOUDON, 'New Statesman & Society'
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