BSO Program depicting an exceptional panel event with Rieger, Wong and Patel

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - April 6, 2024 - PRLog -- Boston Symphony Orchestra Presents Enlightening Panel Event Exploring the Evolution of Music Perception
Boston, MA — April 6, 2024 — The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is thrilled to announce an exceptional panel event, "How We Hear – the Evolution of Music Perception," featuring esteemed experts Alexandra Rieger from MIT Media Lab, Fellow at Morningside Academy of Design and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel, Ph.D., and Dr. Lisa Wong, M.D. The event will occur at BSO on April 6 at 7:30 pm EST.

The panel will delve into the intricacies of music perception, drawing from the rich tapestry of classical compositions and the latest research in neuroscience and psychology. Audience members will gain insights into the fascinating ways our brains process music, from the melodic complexities of Messiaen's Le Merle Noir to the synesthetic exploration of Scriabin's Prometheus, Poem of Fire.

The highlight of the evening will be Alexander Scriabin's Prometheus, Poem of Fire, a groundbreaking work that pushes the boundaries of music and visual art. Scriabin's visionary concept of a "light organ" will be explored, offering a glimpse into the intersection of sound and color. This performance is particularly significant as we commemorate the 150th birthday of future BSO Music Director Serge Koussevitzky, who premiered Prometheus in 1911.

Dr. Lisa Wong, M.D., Associate Co-Director of the Arts & Humanities Initiative at Harvard Medical School, will moderate the panel discussion. Joining her are Alexandra Rieger, chapter author of the upcoming book Music and the Mind from MIT and Harvard, and Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel, Ph.D., renowned expert from Tufts University and author of Music, Language, and the Brain. Together, they will provide invaluable insights into the fascinating intersection of music, neuroscience, and human perception.

"I am thrilled to participate in this illuminating panel event, with leading experts showcasing the transformative power of music," said Alexandra Rieger, Ph.D. candidate at MIT Media Lab and MGH Researcher, Ph.D. student at Harvard, and Fellow at Morningside Academy of Design, as she prepared to join the stage at Boston Symphony Orchestra. "Through thought-provoking discussions and captivating performances, BSO is doing a phenomenal job  to deepen our understanding of how music shapes our perception and enriches our lives."