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07 Jun, 2016
Superb Insights On Musical Abilities!!
2 of 2 found this helpful These are short and easily readable case histories on neurological and physical problems and differences relating to musical abilities in a great many patients treated by Dr. Sacks and others over several centuries. This book is a comprehensive treatment and summary of all sources the author could find plus his own observations and those of many of the world's past and current experts and researchers on humans and their connection to music and rhythm.
Of special interest to me were discussions about a great many of the world's great composers and musicians with unique abilities or problems caused by injuries, genetic abnormalities, disease, lightning strike, et cetera. Some professional popular and classical percussionists can't carry a tune at all. some performers learn to play their instruments despite losing a finger or hand. Some string players manage to play to the end of a piece despite a string breaking in mid performance. Beethoven composed even in deafness. Torquay sees colors when he hears music.
Dr. Sacks writes with a huge vocabulary and plenty of medical terms, but his accounts are all fascinating even for those with no medical or minimal musical knowledge!
17 May, 2016
An easy to read and fascinating book!!