I read a small report in this morning’s Wall Street Journal about memorizing music and it’s effects on the brain. The small report was in response to a long article in the BBC Magazine called “How do you memorize an entire symphony?”, the article stimulated by the fact that the Aurora Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Pastoral symphony without printed music at this summer’s BBC Proms.
The article is written by Jessica Grahn, a neuroscientist; she explores how musicians memorize, the parts of the brain that are involved in memorizing music, the difficulties involved and the relation of music memory to emotion. Of particular interest is her discussion of memory slips and the practice strategies that musicians use to either prevent or recover from them. She also writes about famous musicians who were renowned for their ability to play from memory. There is much to think about (and techniques to try) in the article that will help me with my memory work on the Bach Suites (and other pieces).
I thought this was a wonderful article, and I guess that you, my readers, will find it fascinating as well. Thus, below, is a link to the article. I definitely look forward to hearing the Aurora Orchestra play at this summer’s Proms!
How do you memorise a symphony?
The Aurora Orchestra at the 2014 Proms – Photo by Mark Allan
Cello With Love 