Theme and Variations: Musical Notes by a Neurologist

A fascinating glimpse into the mysterious workings of music on the human brain. Part neuroscience, part memoir, Theme and Variations makes the latest evidence about how we process music in our minds accessible to every reader. Through his own experiences, the author, a musician and neurologist, shows us how he came to understand the importance of music in his life--in all of our lives--revealing a number of surprises that will fascinate physicians, musicians and the music-loving public alike. He answers such questions as: Can music heal? delay dementia? comfort the terminally ill? Can music make kids smarter or better students? Why have homo sapiens made music since the origin of our species? Music, Dr. Ellenberger tells us, is an affirmative medium that stimulates us to imagine and embrace our fullest human potential.