Alison Reads

This book attempts to describe what goes on in the brain while music is being performed or listened to. Examples are given from classical and pop repertoire so that the reader will be familiar with at least some of the examples. Two memorable quotes from the book: “The research on the development of the first MRI scanners was performed by the British company EMI, financed in large part from their profits on Beatles records.” “Ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert — in anything.” Witty and understandable by a non-scientist. Recommended.