Daniel Levitin
Michael Berkeley's guest is the psychologist and neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, who is fascinated by the way our brains respond to music.
Daniel Levitin is a psychologist and neuroscientist who is fascinated by the way our brains respond to music. He first worked as a musician, playing in bands, and then became a record producer and engineer. He’s worked with some of best-known names in the world, including Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Sting and The Grateful Dead.
In his 30s he went back to university to study psychology. He’s now Professor Emeritus at McGill University and has written several best-sellers investigating why music has such a powerful effect on us as a species. His most recent, Music as Medicine, is about the healing power of music, and how it might be used to help treat PTSD, slow the spread of neurodegenerative diseases and even help combat multiple sclerosis.
Daniel's music choices include Debussy, Dvorak, Thelonious Monk and Beethoven.
On radio
Broadcast
- Sun 23 Feb 2025 12:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
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Podcast
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Private Passions
Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical loves and hates