Robert Zatorre to give the 20th Annual lecture on Biology of Music

Since 1990 an annual series of lectures-concerts has been established by I Medici di McGill Orchestra and McGill University Faculty of Medecine exploring the relationship between human biology and music and defining Biology of Music. Professor Robert Zatorre, James McGill Chair in Neuroscience & co-director of BRAMS, will deliver the 20^th annual lecture, entitled “Music in the Brain: Hard wired or hard work?”. This event will close I Medici di McGill Orchestra 20th season. The concert, under conductor Iwan Edwards, will feature Haydn’s 31st symphony “Mit dem hornsignal” and Brahms’ First Serenade op.11.

Abstract "Music in the Brain: Hard wired or hard work?"

How does our brain allow us to perceive, and perform music? How do we imagine musical sounds? Why does music elicit emotion? Neuroscientists are increasingly interested in questions such as these, because music can be a powerful way to reveal the inner workings of the mind and the nervous system that underlies it. Since music touches upon almost all of the higher mental functions, it provides us with a rich source of material to understand how the brain works. Conversely, musicians are beginning to become interested in the idea that the study of music and the brain may reveal insights into music, too. In this lecture I will discuss research carried out in our lab over the past few years from studies using neuroimaging techniques that help to shed light on these questions.

I Medici di McGill Orchestra & McGill University, Faculty of Medicine

Public Concert & 20th Lecture on Biology of Music

 

Monday, April 20, 2009 – at 8pm

Free entrance. Suggested donation: $15

 

Oscar Peterson Concert Hall

Loyola Campus, Concordia University

7141 Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC

Tel. (514) 398-3603

http://www.imedici.mcgill.ca