October 14, 2010

Researching the Mozart effect

Filed under: Music,Science by Orangemaster @ 3:57 pm

The Noord Nederlands Orkest of Groningen plans to participate in scientific research into the Mozart effect together with the Univeristy of Groningen.

The Mozart effect is a theory that claims to boost one’s IQ (and that of children) by listening to and/or playing Mozart. During an upcoming concert, the audience’s brain activity is going to be measured, as part of an experiment.

There are all kinds of serious studies on why listening to music is good for your brain, but then the idea that it increases intelligence is controversial at best.

Although I love Mozart, I preferred to go to Salzburg and check him out in person.

(Link: rtvnoord)

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June 30, 2010

Dutch boy a sensation on American television

Filed under: Music,Shows by Orangemaster @ 12:04 pm

And he we go with yet another edition of ‘Zoek de Nederlander’ (’Find the Dutch person’), albeit a very entertaining one, with music and a happy ending. Sixteen-year-old Simeon Mulder who lives in Orlando, Florida made it to the next round of America’s Got Talent, which will be held in Las Vegas sometime this year.

He has the playfulness of a Glenn Gould trying to play like a young Mozart (maybe not the technical skills, it’s telly after all), the wardrobe qualities of actor Tom Hulce who played Mozart in the 1984 film ‘Amadeus’, some serious piano skills and some nice, dry Dutch humour.

(Link: telegraaf.nl)

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