Classical Notes: June 17, 2008 Archive

A Cure for "Earworms"

Posted at 10:11 AM on June 17, 2008 by Gillian Martin

I find brain science absolutely fascinating. You know when you get a song stuck in your head, and it won't go away? Well, actually, it's getting stuck in your auditory cortex.

According to Wired.com, a solution exists. Find that and a couple of other tidbits about the brain on music here. (Though frankly, I'm skeptical about tidbit #1--even European music hasn't always used this tuning system, and other cultures around the world have very different tuning systems.)

If the shoe fits, sell it!

Posted at 8:44 PM on June 17, 2008 by John Birge

Opera Chic recently weighed in on the new limited edition Adidas sneaker being hawked by the Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang.

Wouldn't be the first time a great classical pianist helped to hawk high-zoot footwear.
In 1991, the Czech virtuoso Rudolf Firkusny became the first - and probably the last - classical pianist to be featured in a TV commercial for basketball shoes.
An advertising exec for Nike was an admirer of Firkusny's playing, so he teamed Firkusny up with David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs. In their television commercial, Firkusny played Chopin, and even shot a basket. Firkusny told the NYTimes: "I think it was good that for once serious music was put together with sports. Music needs all kinds of encouragement."

Too bad this commercial hasn't found its way to YouTube...