For as long as music has been part of human life, philosophers, sages, artists and other commentators have acknowledged the powerful connection between musical experience and that ineffable sense of Divine wonderment we call the Spiritual.
Forty years ago a Balham housewife and medium with little
musical training created a sensation when she claimed have
received new works from beyond the grave from Liszt,
Brahms, Beethoven, Rachmaninov and other great
composers. Rosemary Brown's abilities divided the musical
world, with her supporters convinced that the works were
genuine while her critics dismissed them as pastiche.
Could composers and musicians pass on music after death?
Professor Paul Robertson examines the claims and counter-
claims for musical mediumship and asks whether musical
inspiration comes from within ourselves - or could it come
from somewhere beyond?
14th July 2009, BBC Radio 4
Producer: Jeremy Grange
