Question for synesthetes...

[musikalischer_wirbelwind_280]

My best friend is a synesthete and she has told me some pretty amazing experiences she's had with music because of her condition; so I was wondering if there were any more synesthetes out there willing to share some of their most amazing experiences, as well.

Thank you,
Musikalischer Wirbelwind

[ahinton]

My best friend is a synesthete and she has told me some pretty amazing experiences she's had with music because of her condition; so I was wondering if there were any more synesthetes out there willing to share some of their most amazing experiences, as well.

Thank you,
Musikalischer Wirbelwind

Only recently, in a British newspaper (see https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/news/im-going-it-alone-celebrated-musical-duo-claudio-abbado-and-hlne-grimaud-split-over-solo-2331389.html), Hélène Grimaud was described as "suffering" from synæsthesia as though it were some kind of disease and, whilst I'm not assuming that this is how you see it, even you describe it as a "condition" (which said, the substance of the article was more concerned with Claudio Abbado suffering from Grimaud).

Now, having gotten that preamble out of the way - and having admitted that I am not a synæsthete myself - I think that those who regard with either contempt, disbelief or some other patronising attitude musicians who are sensitised in this particular way do so at their own peril; it is certainly a faculty that requires serious consideration, as the admissions of Skryabin and Messiaen alone must surely confirm. I don't know how it works for those for whom it does work, but it's not something amenable to easy dismissal or denial.

I'm not certain whether or to what extent the English composer Robin Holloway has synæsthesia, but the six movements of his recently premièred Fifth Concerto for Orchestra are all supposed to be strongly suggested by colours, although neither I nor anyone else with whom I've discussed thew work has been able to identify these from listening or indeed figure out why the relationships between the sounds are what they're said to be.

Best,

Alistair

[ionian_tinnear]

Try reading 'Musicophila' by Oliver Sacks

This speaks on how music affects the brain and has sections for people with a wide variety of conditions including synæsthesia.  Fascinating, if a little long, read.

[musikalischer_wirbelwind_280]

Thank you for your contribution, Alistair, although I'm afraid I gave you the wrong impression with my original post: I do not consider synesthesia to be some sort of sickness or contemptible faculty. I know the term 'condition' can sometimes have a more or less negative connotation but that's just not the case with me, that's why I took the liberty of using it to refer to synesthesia. But maybe the term you used, 'faculty', might be preferable in the future so as to avoid such confusions.
I didn't know that Grimaud was a synesthete, but I had definitely heard something about Holloway, yes. However, like you very well pointed out, it's rather difficult to identify chromatic-musical relationships just by listening to the works.

Thanks for the suggestion, ionian_tinnear, but I've already read that one, actually 
As a matter of fact, that book also increased my interest in knowing about even more synesthetic experiences, which is why I started this whole post.
I really hope this is not perceived as being inappropriate because like I already mentioned, I do not consider synesthesia to be a disease or anything along those lines; I could just as well ask what are the music-related dreams that have most astounded pianists, and I don't think it would be offensive or inappropriate.

Best,
Musikalischer Wirbelwind

[ionian_tinnear]

I found the book fascinating.  So many ways music is part of us.  Whether we're musicians or not, most people are deeply affected.