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Sad Music

Sad music has become increasingly popular according to a recent study, but why do people choose to listen to it?

A recent study has shown that sad music has become increasingly popular, but why do people choose to listen to it, and what goes on in the brain and the body when they do so?

Helena Merriman speaks to Japanese pianist and music researcher Dr Ai Kawakami who has some surprising answers about some of the positive feelings people experience when they listen to sad music. American writer Amanda Stern tells Helena why she regularly listens (and cries) to sad music and British composer Debbie Wiseman, known for her moving TV and film scores, explains what makes a piece of music sound sad.

You鈥檒l also hear pieces of sad music suggested by 大象传媒 listeners from all over the world.

(Photo: A woman with headphones on, listening to sad music. 大象传媒 copyright)

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18 minutes

Last on

Sun 1 Feb 2015 05:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 31 Jan 2015 14:32GMT
  • Sat 31 Jan 2015 23:32GMT
  • Sun 1 Feb 2015 05:32GMT

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