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Arts & Culture

The Music Instinct: Science and Song

Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma demonstrates the way musical intervals are used or combined to create melody and harmony.
Rob Fortunato
Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma demonstrates the way musical intervals are used or combined to create melody and harmony.

Airs Wednesday, June 24 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

This documentary provides a groundbreaking exploration into how and why the human organism is moved by music. New work in neuroscience is giving us clues to the mysteries of how and why music penetrates the brain and the emotions. The program follows visionary researchers and accomplished musicians to the crossroads of science and culture in search of answers to music’s deep mysteries. The program includes compelling performances by world-famous performers, in genres from rock to classical, such as Bobby McFerrin, Yo-Yo Ma, Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley, and Evelyn Glennie. Watch performance videos and take the music poll online.