Can listening to classical music make you “smarter”? Since intelligence is measured in many ways, the issue is contentious. How, exactly, might this occur?
In a 1993 study published in the journal Nature, Rauscher et al. found some evidence for what has been termed the “Mozart effect.” Subjects who listened to Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K. 448) were found to improve spatial-temporal reasoning abilities. But, the effect only lasted for 10 minutes and some subsequent studies did not reproduce these findings. Interestingly, though, a 1998 study published in Neurological Research did find that rats who were raised listening to Mozart’s double piano sonata ran a maze faster and more accurately than their counterparts.
Regardless, the Mozart effect in humans is likely to remain controversial. Even so, classical music has been proven to help cognition in at least one aspect: concentration.
A 2012 study published in the journal Learning and Individual Differences found that students performed higher on a test while listening to classical music during a lecture than those who heard the lecture without music.
Which Classical Music Is Best?
The world of classical music is extensive. What type of composition best promotes concentration? German lieder? Schoenberg’s 12-tone scale?The most important ground rule to establish is that the melodies should be serene, the harmonies calming. The music should blend into the background.
There are many articles and essays out there that list the “best music for studying.” All vary somewhat, but there is a definite trend: Composers from the 18th and 19th centuries are the most consistently represented. Why is this?
Well, the music produced during this time—especially in the Classical period of the mid-to-late 18th century—favored balanced structures, clarity, refinement, and grace. All these qualities are ideal for studying. Earlier Baroque composers and Romantic composers from the 19th century often, but not always, share many of these qualities.
Mozart Is King
Since we’ve been talking about the Mozart effect, it seems natural to start with the master himself. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91) is the king of elegance. His concerto, K. 488, has been used in numerous studies, both with animals and humans, to positive effect. Many of his other pieces also make perfect background music when hitting the books.If the Billboard charts had a “Hot 100” list for academic performance, Mozart would top it. Typing the phrase “classical music for studying” in the Amazon.com search bar, I found a lot of audio products devoted to this category. One of the top results is a CD set titled “Music for Brain Power.” The first disc is all Mozart, starting with “Eine kleine Nachtmusik.” The second disc has more variation, featuring a variety of composers from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
This name should also come as no surprise. While “Art of the Fugue” may be too complicated for our purposes here, Bach’s keyboard pieces, like the “Goldberg Variations” and the “Well-Tempered Clavier,” are great study companions.Frédéric Chopin (1810–49)
Among all types of instruments, the piano is perfect for creating a calming atmosphere. Less sharp than the piercing violin, not as bold as the brassy trumpet, the piano is (usually) smooth and serene. Piano pieces in the classical repertoire flow in a balanced way that don’t overwhelm the listener with sudden shifts in tempo or dynamics.Chopin’s etudes are often too turbulent and tempestuous to serve as background music. His nocturnes, however, are another story. As the name suggests, they are inspired by the night—the time when most students are cramming. One of his most famous is the Nocturne in E-flat major (Op. 9, No. 2). Gentle, introspective, and lyrical, it is ideal for a tranquil study environment.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Beethoven is not represented on the “Music for Brain Power” CD mentioned above. Though one of the world’s major composers, he often gets left off these lists. His fulminating, complex concert works demand concentration, sapping the attention one might give to a book. (There is a strong case to be made, however, for listening to Beethoven while pumping iron.)His piano sonatas are an exception to the rule. The “Moonlight” and “Pastoral” sonatas (Op. 27 and 28) perfectly reflect the characters of their nicknames. The second movements of his “Pathétique” (Op. 13), “Appassionata” (Op. 57), and “Waldstein” (Op. 53) are also beautifully meditative.
Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
Finally, we are moving away from the piano. In the realm of the violin, Vivaldi reigns supreme. The “Four Seasons” are, perhaps, the greatest violin concertos of all time.In a 2013 study from Northumbria University, researcher Leigh Riby concluded that listening to Vivaldi’s “Spring” could “enhance mental alertness and brain measures of attention and memory.”
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
If Mozart is the king of balance and serenity, then Haydn is the prince. Though many of his pieces likewise make good background music, his chamber music is particularly graceful. More intimate than a symphony, string quartets are a good genre to study with. Among these, the “Emperor” quartet (Op. 76, No. 3) is probably the best known, with the lyrical melody of its second movement.Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887–1959)
Moving into modern times, it’s hard to beat Brazil’s most famous composer. Villa Lobos’s compositions for solo classical guitar showcase the delicacy of this instrument. His “Five Preludes” and “12 Etudes” contain many reflective moments, but even the vibrant sections are unlikely to distract.John Dowland (1563–1626)
Moving back in time to the early 17th century, we go from the guitar to the lute. Though the instrument has long been obsolete, the master of solo lute music, John Dowland, deserves a listen. The lute’s pear-shaped body is reminiscent of the later guitar, and like that instrument, it is softer and less screechy than the violin. Dowland’s “Lachrimae” creates a tranquil soundscape with its gentle, melancholic melody.Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
It would be unfair to not include any symphonies on this list. Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony No. 8 in B Minor is a deeply contemplative piece. Though the first movement has some turbulent sections following its soft and mysterious opening, the tender flow of the second movement fosters a calm ambiance throughout, allowing for unbroken reflective thought.Gregorian Chant
Technically, this is cheating. We do not know the names of the anonymous monks who composed Gregorian chant. One of them may have been called Gregory, but if he existed, he was not the famous pope the genre is named after.The monophonic texture of this beautiful music, consisting of one melodic line without harmony, makes for a simple listening experience. And since the singing is in medieval Latin, you’re less apt to be distracted by processing its meaning (unless you’re studying for a Latin exam).
