What if music is more than art?
In this fascinating episode of Plot Twist Radio, host Erin Egnatz sits down with composer, author, pianist, and former professor Kurt Ellenberger to explore the surprising connections between music, mathematics, evolution, and human perception.
From the hidden numerical patterns that shape every melody to the way our brains predict musical outcomes before we consciously hear them, Kurt reveals how music may be deeply connected to the same mathematical principles that power computers, biological growth, and even human cognition.
Together, they discuss:
🎵 The relationship between music and mathematics
🧠 Why our brains instinctively recognize musical patterns
📚 How teaching and writing shaped Kurt's understanding of creativity
🎹 The influence of legendary musicians like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett
🔬 The role evolution may play in our musical instincts
✍️ Turning complex ideas into accessible stories for everyday audiences
🎼 Why music creates such powerful emotional responses
Whether you're a musician, writer, scientist, educator, or simply curious about how the world works, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of humanity's most universal experiences.
Kurt Ellenberger is a composer, pianist, author, and recently retired professor of music from Grand Valley State University. His writing has appeared in the Arts section of HuffPost, and he currently serves as a contributing writer and editor for All About Jazz and Managing Editor of the Journal of Applied Jazz Research.
Website: KurtEllenberger.com
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