NOVA | NOVA Short | Inside Oliver Sacks's Brain | PBS

[rwatson8]

So, what did these experiments conclude? Oliver Sacks prefers Bach over Beethoven. Which is what he says from the start. It took several FMRIs to confirm the good doctor's opinion.  Who cares. Wasn't the question WHY certain music sticks in your brain? What is it about Bach that moves Dr. Sacks and theonion7?

[bushdid911forever]

His amygdala may have been activated because as he says he has been listening to Bach for a very long time and likely has many emotional memories attached to that music. They should run this with a control subject who does not listen to classical music.

[theonion7]

nope

[theonion7]

This youtube clip was surreal for me....it hit close to home. For me, Bach is completely mesmerizing. Beethoven (and most everybody else) is fine, but all too often simply pedestrian. Explains why I have 4,400 songs from Bach on my computer. 24 for Beethoven. Perhaps Bach really knew how to push those emotional buttons. FYI, the Bach piece is 'Et incarnatus est' from the Mass in B Minor (BWV 232).

[NicolaRedwooddforest]

@theonion7 Yes, I can relate to you and to Dr. Oliver Sacks. Bach is my absolute favorite composer of all. I feel strong feelings with most compositions from Mozart and Beethoven, too. I feel most with Bach's compositions. Do you have the cantatas from Bach BWV 82, BWV 158, and BWV 56? They make me cry deeply each time I listen to them. The singer is Matthias Goerne. I get goose bumps.

[theonion7]

@NicolaRedwooddforest Yes, that's a brilliant CD, especially bwv 82. Some more favorites in that same vein: the opening aria of bwv 170 (Herreweghe/Scholl) and the opening aria from bwv 151 (Suzuki). Incredibly moving works of art

[NicolaRedwooddforest]

@theonion7 Are you a neurologist? I have been wanting to talk to a neurologist or brain specialist for a while. I have so many questions. 

[simmad0wnn0w]

Even I felt the Bach piece, but both of them were superb.

[ledylanclair]

Found it! Bach- Tantum Ergo. that is the song.

[Donsknotts]

@ledylanclair i love series of tubes

[ledylanclair]

@Donsknotts ***Just nods and smiles.***

[ledylanclair]

The Bach piece was absolutely heavenly. I need to find the name of it.

[skuzzbunny]

he's a baklava!D

[totaldynamix]

lol my result would be vice versa from Mr.Sacks. I prefer Beethoven to Bach. It's amazing how that thing works too.

[mattygdrums88]

Dr. Sacks is incredible! I was the drummer in this documentary with TS. The man is remarkable!!! Such an honor to be affiliated with by such a man and in his latest book and in this documentary! Dr. Sacks is a real humanitarian Genius.

[digglefallen93]

Does anyone know the Bach piece?

[excursustoo]

Oliver Sacks, I have read every word you have published (that I could find). Starting with The Man Who Mistook His wife for a Hat". I thank you, Dr. sacks!

[pegasus1747]

Do you mean the first work, keyboard or the choral works later?

[apples2113]

what was the name of that bach song?

and i watched the whole episode, very interesting.

[2r0]

memory

[something9874123]

I dont understand the last part of the video...not recognizing the difference in the music even though he was confused but the brain was still stimulated...does that mean a feeling u attach to the music dosent actually come from the brain. Does this mean feelings are attached to another part of you???

[advnchrchik]

The music effected him subconsciously. Feelings are certainly attached to the brain, however, we may not always be aware of them. All the parts that lite up when he was listening to Bach showed areas that were more than just feelings, too. I think they said that he could "understand the complexity of the music" from Bach while Beethoven "left him flat". This must be the kind of associations he tries to explain in his book. It was a good quesiton.

[kossmikham]

I think you're assuming they were measuring everything that could be measured in the brain in this experiment. That would hardly be the case.

[wotare]

This is your brain, and this is your brain on Bach.......... Any questions?

[MamaLouisa]

Thank you! you post such interesting videos! Seeing this, I wonder what my brain must show as 'overactivity', when I hear old-time blues music?! :) (which I love, like he loves Bach)

[cursingyorick]

I didn't care, but my brain liked it.

[anmoose]

Fascinating...

[ResidentNova]

lol my games character is called Nova, i seen NOVA NOVA and i was like o.O

[mrtvman]

cool