“Pianist, composer, music professor, and author of many music-related articles that deal with quirky, curious, and fascinating topics.”
From the beginning of my career, I've had strong interdisciplinary interests, blending music with science, philosophy, aesthetics, and culture to uncover the profound "why" behind sound's emotional pull—not just for scholars, but for general audiences hungry for those illuminating connections. As a pianist (retired), composer, and Professor of Music at Grand Valley State University's Frederik Meijer Honors College, I enjoy translating complex ideas into clear, engaging explanations geared toward a general, albeit inquisitive, audience.
For instance, in my article "Music and Evolution: Hearing Math, Seeing Sound, and Other Unanswered Questions," I examine how our brains instinctively perceive octaves as geometric symmetries, questioning Darwinian explanations for this evolutionary trait.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/music-and-evolution-hearing-math-seeing-sound-and-other-unanswered-questions
Similarly, my three-part series "The Plaintive Sigh of a Sonic Doppelgänger: Why Are Minor Chords Perceived as 'Sad'?" breaks down the spectral clashes that create the melancholy of the minor key, making the underlying math accessible to non-musicians.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-plaintive-sigh-of-a-sonic-doppelganger-why-are-minor-chords-perceived-as-sad
I really enjoy bringing these remarkable revelations to a general audience, in the hope of fostering a deeper appreciation for music's emotional power and its central role in our lives.
Articles by Kurt Ellenberger
