Lecture, LSO St Luke's, Wednesday, 21 Oct 2026 - 18:00

Why Is There Music?

Pink 3D treble clef with five miniature figures standing in different poses on and around the symbol.

Despite the wide diversity of human behaviour, every culture shares one activity: music. Why should something whose purpose is not easy to explain be so universally embraced? How can patterns in the air explain music’s profound effect, and ability to convey the full range of emotions, from heartache to humour?

What is it that we are saying in this mysterious language? This lecture shines the lights of neuroscience, philosophy, psychology and anthropology to illuminate this ancient human obsession.

Milton Mermikides

Professor Milton Mermikides

Gresham Professor of Music

Milton Mermikides is a composer, guitarist, technologist, academic and educator in a wide range of musical styles and has collaborated with artists and scientists as...

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