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Music for the mind

A specially curated mixtape for World Mental Health Day.

It鈥檚 stating the obvious to say that music can make us feel better, but what is less obvious is why. For this mixtape Professor Sally Marlow, 成人快手 Radio 3鈥檚 Researcher in Residence, has examined what science can tell us about the links between music, emotions and mental health.

Each track has science behind it. Bach鈥檚 Prelude in C Major illustrates that sad music can be uplifting. Morricone鈥檚 theme from Cinema Paradiso shows how music for films is composed specifically to evoke a powerful emotional response. Schubert鈥檚 Winterreise, an early 19th century gothic journey in music, has been chosen because we know that those who identify with modern-day gothic music are more likely to experience depression, and perhaps the music helps them understand something about their condition.

In recognition of the contribution drumming can make to reducing depression and anxiety, there's Seven beat suite by Moondog, who was himself no stranger to mental ill health. Several studies have found Sufi music can reduce anxiety, so a traditional Anatolian Sufi dance played by Moslem Rahal is included. Music can also help alleviate distress caused by social factors, for example: living in poverty and experiencing discrimination. It does this by raising awareness, making protest and creating a feeling of solidarity 鈥 Nina Simone鈥檚 Ain鈥檛 Got No encapsulates all of this brilliantly. Shostakovich鈥檚 Fifth Symphony, meanwhile, expertly conveyed the mood of the people under Stalin, without the use of words.

Science also tells us that music can help alleviate neurological disorders such as dementia, so included is Four Notes (Paul鈥檚 Tune), composed by Paul Harvey, a former music teacher living with dementia. To finish, the chorus Vin ou bi猫re, from Gounod鈥檚 Faust, a drinking song which illustrates the role of music in creating context for communal celebration.

We don鈥檛 claim that listening to this mixtape will necessarily alter your own mental health, but we do hope it will give you something to think about, as well as listen to.

Sally Marlow also explores the relationship between music and mental health with Tom Service on Music Matters (broadcast Saturday 8th October at 11:45am, repeated Monday 10th October at 10:00pm).

Producer: Sam Hickling

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 10 Oct 2022 19:00

Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Prelude in C major BWV.846 (The Well-Tempered Clavier - Bk.1)

    Performer: Angela Hewitt.
    • Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier: Angela Hewitt.
    • Hyperion.
    • 1.
  • Ennio Morricone

    Love Theme from 'Cinema Paradiso'

    Performer: Renaud Capu莽on. Orchestra: Brussels Philharmonic. Conductor: St茅phane Den猫ve.
    • 颁颈苍茅尘补.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 1.
  • Franz Schubert

    Der Leiermann (Winterreise, D.911)

    Singer: Dietrich Fischer鈥怐ieskau. Performer: Alfred Brendel.
    • Philips.
  • Traditional Anatolian

    Sufi Dance

    Performer: Moslem Rahal. Performer: Siar Hashimi. Performer: Pedro Estevan.
    • Alia Vox.
  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Symphony no.10 in E minor, Op.93 (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vasily Petrenko.
    • Symphonies Nos. 5 and 9.
    • Naxos.
    • 2.
  • Nina Simone

    Ain't Got No, I Got Life

    • The Very Best Of.
    • RCA Records Label.
    • 1.
  • Paul Harvey

    Four Notes - Paul's Tune

    Composer: Daniel Whibley. Orchestra: 成人快手 Philharmonic. Conductor: Paul Harvey.
    • Four Notes - Paul's Tune.
    • Redrocca.
    • 1.
  • Moondog

    Seven Beat Suite (3 Parts)

    Performer: Moondog.
    • More Moondog.
    • Honest Jon's Records.
    • 6.
  • Charles Gounod

    Vin ou biere (Faust)

    Choir: Chorus of the Welsh National Opera. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. Conductor: Carlo Rizzi.
    • Gounod : Faust [Highlights].
    • Warner Classics International.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Mon 10 Oct 2022 19:00

Music to help you focus

Discover the best classical music for study, inspiration and relaxation.