The Mozart effect is a theory created in the 1990s that listening to classical music, and in particular to pieces composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, can temporarily improve a person’s cognitive abilities. This theory has gained the attention of both scientists and the general public, and has been used as a method of improvement in education, therapy, and job performance.
The origin of this theory is to be found in the research carried out by the French psychologist Alfred Tomatis, who discovered that patients who listened to Mozart music showed an improvement in attention span and spatio-temporal imagination. This discovery led to a series of experiments that confirmed Tomatis’ hypothesis. However, subsequent studies have found contradictory results regarding the theory of the Mozart effect, which has led to an ongoing discussion about its validity.
However, some argue that the Mozart effect is not a myth, and that classical music can be a valuable tool in improving concentration, memory and creativity. In education, classical music has been used as a pedagogical strategy to improve academic performance in children and young people. In therapy, treatments using classical music have been developed to relieve pain and stress in patients with chronic illnesses. And in the world of work, some companies have included classical music in their work environment to stimulate the creativity and performance of their employees.
In short, despite the criticisms of the Mozart effect, there is no doubt that classical music can have a positive impact on our minds and our health. Listening to the works of Mozart, Beethoven or Bach can be an enriching and healing experience. In addition, classical music connects us to a valuable part of our cultural heritage, and allows us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the work of the great musical masters. As Nietzsche said, “without music, life would be a mistake”.
