Music and the Brain II “In music one must think with the heart and feel with the brain” -- George Szell
The Library's popular Music and the Brain series continues this season, examining the central role of music across cultures; the relationship of music to spirituality; music as a tool in fighting the deterioration of the aging brain, promoting mental fitness, and treating disease; and how musical training and practice literally change the brain. Wide-ranging conversations, live and on film, explore answers to the question, “Are musicians different from the rest of us?” All events are free and open to the public. No tickets required. Seating is limited.
Series advisor Kay Redfield Jamison returns with a new presentation based on her forthcoming book, Nothing Was the Same, a haunting meditation on mortality, grief and loss. She is joined by two other distinguished speakers: Ara Guzelimian, Provost and Dean of the Juilliard School, and J. Raymond DePaulo, Jr., MD, Director, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The panelists will delve into the distinctions between grief and depression, the consolations of music and literature, and crosscurrents related to arts and the brain.
PRE CONCERT PRESENTATIONS
All pre-concert presentations take place in the Whittall Pavilion (adjacent to the Coolidge Auditorium) and begin at 6:15pm. Admission is free; tickets are required for concerts which follow.
Dr. Charles J. Limb, Peabody Institute and School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University with Patrick J. Donnelly (to be rescheduled in Spring 2010)
Dr. Richard E. Cytowic, MD, George Washington Medical
Center
(Booksigning will follow the presentation)
New Location: Congressional Members Room (view
map)
Dr. Robin Sylvan, Director of the Sacred Center, El Cerrito, California
Jessica Krash, George Washington University and Norman Middleton, Music Division, Library of Congress
Dr. Taoufiq ben Amor, Gordon Gray J. Lecturer, Arabic Studies, Columbia University
Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, MD, PhD, Director of the Music, Neuroimaging and Stroke Recovery Laboratories, Beth Deaconess Israel Medical Center and Harvard Medical School
Dr. Petr Janata, Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis
Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Ambassador of Iceland; Alexander Stein, Psychoanalyst; and, Taru Spiegel, European Division, Library of Congress
Prof. David Huron, Head of the Cognitive and Systematic Musicology Laboratory, Ohio State University (new location - LJ-119 on the first floor, Jefferson Building)
Concetta M. Tomaino, Executive Director, Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
Norman Middleton, Music Division, Library of Congress
Dr. Jayne Standley, Director of the Music Therapy Program, Florida State University and Dr. Vera Brandes, Director, Research Program Music Medicine, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg
WORKSHOP SESSION
Mumford Room (Reservations required -- please call 202-707-8432)
Anne B. Parker, music therapist
Donald DuRousseau, Human Bionics, Purcellville, Virginia
Co-sponsored by American Music Therapy Association
THE MUSICIAN'S MIND
Conversations and interviews with composers and performers from the concert
season's lineup, and glimpses of some profound composers from the past century
in Frank Scheffer's brilliant film portraits of 20th century composers.
(These events are free; however, most concerts require tickets)
A post concert conversation with pianist Guy Livingston focusing on the creation of One Minute More--aspects of mental velocity and versatility and the perception of speed and tempo (following the concert in the Coolidge Auditorium). » Go to concert description
Host of WPFW's "Sound of Surprise" Larry Appelbaum, Music Division, interviews Cuban drummer and composer Dafnis Prieto before a concert his Sí o Sí Quartet at the Atlas Center for the Performing Arts. » Go to concert description
Composer Caleb Burhans talks about his new work before its premiere by
the Jack Quartet for whom it was
written (Whittall Pavilion, Library of Congress). » Go
to concert description
Pianist composer Uri Caine talks with Larry Appelbaum before appearing with his Trio at the Atlas Center for the Performing Arts. » Go to concert description
COMPOSER FILM PORTRAITS
The Dutch documentary filmmaker Frank Scheffer is internationally recognized as a master of sound and image. His films paint not only compelling portraits of major musical thinkers but also a view of the history of modernism in 20th-century music. In addition to numerous critical and festival awards, Scheffer has been honored with complete retrospectives of his films by the Holland Festival and the Mumbai Festival.
Thursdays at 7:00 pm Mary Pickford Theater
(Reservation required; please call 202-707-5677)
Double Bill Wagner's Ring (1987) (3 minutes, 50 seconds)
Fourteen / 19 Questions / Paying Attention / Overpopulation and Art
In the Ocean (2001) (54 minutes)
“Music and the Brain II” is presented by the Music Division and the Science, Technology and Business Division, Library of Congress; in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Clinic; and with the generous support of the Dana Foundation.