Can science truly explain why music gives us a shiver in the spine?
In short: In his 1989 Christmas Lectures, Charles Taylor explored the intersection of science and sound. From the mechanical evolution of the piano to the explosive rise of synthesizers, he questioned whether technology would eventually replace traditional instruments, performers, and composers, while probing the elusive, subjective nature of our musical experiences.
Charles Taylor’s final 1989 lecture, recorded on 5 December, delved into the complex relationship between musical instruments and the physics of sound. A central focus was the inherent limitation of keyboard instruments, such as harpsichords and spinets, which struggle to vary in loudness. Taylor traced the development of the modern piano as a feat of mechanical engineering designed to solve this issue, while simultaneously using modern synthesizers from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to illustrate the persistent challenge of playing scales in all keys while remaining perfectly in tune.
Beyond the mechanics of sound production, Taylor raised profound questions about the future of music in an increasingly digital age. He challenged his audience to consider whether computers and synthesizers might eventually render traditional instruments and human performers obsolete. These inquiries were framed within the broader context of the ear-brain system, which fundamentally shapes how we perceive music. Taylor emphasized that while scientific measurements and laboratory observations are essential, they must be applied to the real-world context of performance to be fully understood.
Ultimately, the lectures sought to bridge the gap between objective scientific inquiry and the subjective nature of musical appreciation. Taylor acknowledged that science has yet to fully explain the visceral, emotional response—the 'shiver in the spine'—that listeners experience when hearing certain pieces. By integrating historical apparatus from the Royal Institution, some over 100 years old, with cutting-edge electronic technology of the late 1980s, the series aimed to demonstrate that music is not merely a separate subject from science, but a phenomenon that requires a partnership between the two to be truly appreciated.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Scales, synthesizers and samples – Charles Taylor’s 1989 Christmas Lectures 5/5
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