Robert Schumann
The Man, his Mind, and his Music
Presented by The Musical Brain
2nd - 3rd October 2010 | St John's, Smith Square, London
This superb event brought together over 200 delegates from a variety of disciplines ranging from neuroscientists to practicing music therapists. Various reviews are being published and further projects being planned so we will try to keep you up to date with news from the field.
Links
The Musical Brain
The Musical Brain invited scientists, musicians, therapists and the public to a weekend of talks, discussions and concerts. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann's birth, the weekend focused on one of the greatest and most troubled of musical minds.
Professor Nigel Osborne, composer and pioneer in music therapy, and Dr Stephen Johnson, musicologist and BBC Radio 3 presenter, introduced lectures by neuroscientists and psychiatrists and lead the discussions, illustrated with concerts featuring the music of Robert Schumann (1810-1856) and composers who influenced or were influenced by him.
The Musical Brain is a newly established charitable trust which has the aim of bringing together artists, scientists, teachers, therapists and the public, in original and stimulating environments to examine issues of creativity, mental health and the mind.
In 2010 we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Schumann (1810-1856), whose genius was sadly tempered by mental illness eventually leading to his premature death in an asylum for the insane. He left a wonderful legacy of compositions which were brought to life by musicians including James Gilchrist (tenor), Anna Tilbrook (piano), the Sacconi Quartet and Ian Brown (piano).
The weekend included:
• Lectures.
• Open Discussions.
• Musical illustrations.
• Concerts.
• Exchange of ideas with researchers and practitioners.
• Opportunities to meet and talk with the musicians and scientists.
The Speakers
• Prof. John Cox, Clinical Psychiatrist, Visiting Professor of Mental Health, University of Gloucestershire, Past President, Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Prof. Michael Trimble, Behavioural Neurologist, Institute of Neurology, London.
• Prof. Nigel Osborne, Composer, Specialist in music therapy for war traumatised children. Reid Professor of Music, Co-director IMHSD, University of Edinburgh.
• Dr. Jessica Grahn, Neuroscientist, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University.
• Prof. Stefan Koelsch, Professor of Music Psychology, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
• Dr. Katie Overy, Music Psychologist, Senior Lecturer, Co-Director IMHSD, University of Edinburgh.
• Stephen Johnson, Writer and Music Journalist, BBC Radio 3 Presenter.
• Ian Ritchie, Director of the City of London Festival.
The Musicians
• Ian Brown (piano)
Ian is renowned for his performances with the Nash Ensemble, is regarded as one of the world’s leading chamber musicians and has a growing reputation as a conductor. He has partnered soloists such as Rostropovich, Galway, Isserlis and Dame Felicity Lott.
• James Gilchrist (tenor)
Beginning his working life as a doctor, James turned to a fulltime music career in 1996. An international soloist, renowned for his recitals of Lieder and English Song, he is equally at home with opera and the baroque.
• Anna Tilbrook (piano)
One of Britains most exciting youg pianists and chamber musicians, Anna regularly accompanies James Gilchrist. Their recording of Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin in 2009, was editor's choice in Gramophone.
• The Sacconi Quartet
The Sacconi Quartet (Ben Hancox violin, Hannah Dawson violin, Robin Ashwell viola and Cara Berridge cello) have curated a week of concerts at Kings Place and performed at the Wigmore Hall this season. Winners of the London International String Quartet competition 2006, the quartet have a fast growing international reputation for brilliant performance and creative programming.
Event Program
Saturday 2nd October
Aspects of creativity & the brain
Morning
• Introduction to the life of Robert Schumann and his music, Stephen Johnson.
• Music as an expression of emotion, Dr Katie Overy - Music Psychologist.
• Music and empathy, Professor John Cox - Clinical Psychiatrist.
Afternoon
• Music and mental illness, Professor Michael Trimble - Behavioral Neurologist.
• Creativity and mental illness, a workshop with Professor Nigel Osborne.
• Panel Discussion: Boundaries and meeting points of neuroscience and psychiatry with open forum.
Evening
7.30pm
Concert introduced by Ian Ritchie in conversation with Stephen Johnson and Nigel Osborne.
The Sacconi Quartet and Ian Brown (piano)
• Beethoven String Quartet ‘Razumovsky’, Op.59 No 3
• Elgar String Quartet in E minor, Op.83
• Schumann Piano Quintet in Eb Op.44
Sunday 3 October
Effects of music on the brain
Morning
• Current findings in music neuroscience, Dr Jessica Grahn - Neuroscientist.
• Neuroscience methods in the research of music cognition and music-evoked emotions, Professor Stefan Koelsch - Music Psychologist.
Lunchtime Concert with Ian Brown (piano)
Introduction to recital by Ian Ritchie in conversation with Stephen Johnson.
• Mendelssohn Song Without Words in C Minor, Op.38, No 2
• Tchaikovsky A Little of Schumann, Op.72, No 9
• Schubert Impromptu in Eb, Op.90, No 2
• Schumann Davidsbündlertänze, Op.6
Afternoon
• A study of Schumann’s 2nd & 4th symphonies illustrated by arrangements of the scored for piano duet, Stephen Johnson
• Therapeutic effects of music - lecture with film, Nigel Osborne.
• Open Forum with speakers, musicians and full delegate participation.
Evening
7.30pm
Concert introduced by Ian Ritchie in conversation with Stephen Johnson and Nigel Osborne.
James Gilchrist (tenor), Anna Tilbrook (piano) & the Sacconi Quartet
• Bach Prelude and Fugue in E flat, Schlummert ein - Ich habe genug
• Schumann Toccata
• Schubert Goethe settings
• Mahler Des Knaben Wunderhorn settings
• Beethoven Quartet Op.18 No 6 (final movement)
• Schumann Dichterliebe
Cost
• Full weekend: £175.00
• Saturday only: £90.00
• Sunday only: £90.00
Students: Full weekend: £50.00. Single Day: £30.00.