Why We Listen to Music, according to science.

In this episode, Gustav Hoyer discusses research led by Dr. Tomas Schäfer as published through his research into the psychology of music listening (1).  Music is a mirror for our own personal inward journeys, a tool to help define our moods, and a glue that connects us to others. We explore these three reasons that his research identified and Gustav shares some of his own compositions as well as excerpts of other works that have served these functions for him. In this episode we hear:

Hoyer, Piano Quartet in c-minor, 3rd mvmt (‘Wonder’)

Grieg,  Holberg Suite, IV. Aria excerpt(performed by Sir Neville Marriner and Academtn of St. Martin in the Fields)

Rachmaninov, Second Piano Concerto, 2nd Mvmt excerpt (performed by Gary Graffman and the NY Philharmonic Orchestra)

Hoyer, Vignettes from an American Life. 5th mvmd (‘Front Porch Rondo’)

Bach, Toccata in D-Major excerpt (performed by Glenn Gould)

These links will take you to Spotify, but they are available at many other music locations as well.

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(1) The psychological functions of music listening Frontiers in Psychology, August 2013, Vol 4, Article 511 Thomas Schäfer1*, Peter Sedlmeier1, Christine Städtler1 and David Huron2