Hearing Music Through Spoken Language

Recently, researchers have shown a subconscious link between rhythm in a composer’s music and in their first language. If the composer’s brain makes such a connection, what does this mean for the listener, especially in music without a steady beat? Bryan Hayslett's approach to musical analysis shows how language stress aids in describing the structure of time in music, particularly when listeners can’t tap their foot to a beat. Through music for solo cello by J.S. Bach, Lee Hyla, Judith Weir, and Donald Martino, he introduces how we can hear music similarly to how we perceive spoken language.

A homemade FED dinner will be served. The menu (specially curated based on composers who will be discussed!) is as follows:

Opening: White clam flatbread, beer and wine

Main Course: Chicago deep dish veggie pizza; barbecued jackfruit; root vegetable coleslaw.

Dessert: Apple strudel with German chocolate dipping sauce

Cellist Bryan Hayslett teaches as adjunct artist faculty at NYU Steinhardt. He is the cellist of contemporary performance group Juxtatonal, who will be performing alongside Eighth Blackbird this summer. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2009 as first prize winner of the Alexander & Buono International String Competition and returned the following year as a repeat top prize laureate. Dr. Hayslett has given four solo concert tours with new music as a central focus, including performances in Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Hartford, Albany, Milwaukee, Tampa FL, Comfort TX, Holland MI, Appleton WI, and Jackson MS, and a residency at the University of South Florida. Dr. Hayslett holds degrees from NYU, The Hartt School of Music, and The Boston Conservatory, and he can be heard on an Innova recording, "A Special Light," featuring music of David Macbride. His attendance at the Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop has inspired nonclassical projects ranging to live improvised music for yoga classes. As a scholar, Dr. Hayslett's research focuses on the interrelated perception of language and music, and his dissertation develops an analytical framework based on linguistics to analyze temporal structure in the music of Lee Hyla. He has presented his research at conferences across the United States and in Austria, Norway, and Portugal. Beyond music, Dr. Hayslett competes in triathlons and enjoys practicing yoga. He currently resides in New York City.