Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

And the greatest frisson moment in the whole of Anglican choral music: the Nunc Dimittis from Herbert Howells' Gloucester Service.

Start listening at the beginning of the Gloria (well, listen to the whole thing if you can, but if you're pushed for time start here):

https://youtu.be/4jmxJa4kMGM?t=131

The famous frisson moment in this recording is at 2m57: "as it was". Three reasons. One is the shifting chords in the organ part and the tenor/bass parts that lead up to it (the "expectancy violations"). The second is just the pure thrill of trebles soaring to a top A like that. And the third you only get if you listened to the Magnificat beforehand, which in its natural environment - a service of choral Evensong - you would: the "as it was" in the Gloria of the Nunc is _almost_ exactly the same as it was in the Mag... just a beat later. Pure "expectancy violation" again.

Howells is full of these moments. The big, crunchy, discordant Amen in the Gloria of the Magdalen Service is my favourite - where the harmonies are offset by a crescendo/diminuendo/crescendo sequence in the choir, all on the same note.

Thanks for sharing. I can’t listen to songs with lyrics when I work - but the structure of the music seems to have the frisson, although I’m usually so far in a work groove that it doesn’t necessarily make my hairs stand up, but instead subconsciously motivates me more to get into a flow. Usually it’s mostly electronic (ie https://m.soundcloud.com/kobeyo) or classical. When watching classical live I get the frisson. When I’m at an electronic event they really play with the buildups and the frisson seems like the goal (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=quoAVYJfDuU)

My dad constantly listens to the same era of music, the 60s and early 70s…like every night. I think this brings back memories of when he was growing up and of the times (lots of political / social changes) because he just starts ranting about high school and super detailed small things that happened to him like almost 50 years ago. I speak three languages and can’t remember anything from my past almost. The music really puts him on a time machine, it’s pretty interesting to observe…it’s like this frisson thing is going non stop.

After reading this, I’m reminded of the Sanskrit concept of adbhuta. It can be roughly translated to wonder, but in the sense of witnessing something otherworldly or supernatural.

The Nāṭya Śāstra elaborates and articulates on 8 rasas in the performing arts, including adbhuta. Truly an interesting work.

> Nightwish, Ghost Love Score, Wacken 2013 @ 9:22, affectionately nicknamed the "Floor-gasm" by fans.

I saw Floor Jansen live last month. It was to a different song, but it was the first time ever that live music gave me goosebumps. And I've seen a lot of live music.

If it's due to anticipation and violated expectations, how come the same song can still give you goosebumps even after you know it very well?