Lecture, LSO St Luke's, Wednesday, 25 Nov 2026 - 18:00

Musical Myths and Miracles

A close-up shot of a pregnant woman wearing a green and white polka dot dress, holding a pair of large, bright red over-ear headphones against her pregnant belly, positioning an ear cup on each side of the bump

For millennia, music has been credited with extraordinary powers. Ancient Greek modes were said to heal, while modern culture offers everything from expensive audiophile obsessions with “perfect” sound to wilder claims that the music of Mozart enhances intelligence. Film and media often romanticise and misrepresent how music works.

But what is real, and what is invention? This lecture separates fact from fiction, unpicking the stories we tell about its powers, and uncovering its genuine miracles.

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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