Interesting to reread this thread. I still remember the event I posted above (Aug 16, 2000). That baby is now a grad student (A.I. at the MIT Media Lab). His younger brother is now a full-time musician. Both were exposed to a great deal of classical music all the years they lived at home.

However, they were also exposed to a great deal of rock music and in later years, bluegrass. So now I'm hedging about the "Mozart" effect as opposed to the effect of music altogether, which I absolutely confirm.

I think people (at least the ones in my family) are wired to respond to certain types of musical stimuli, probably a cultural effect or genetic memory, don't know. I do know that some jazz, the kind that has uneven rhythms and unusual (for me) intervals in the harmonies, makes me uncomfortable. So for me, there's a "Jazz Effect" that is counter-productive.

If I had to give up all music except for one composer or artist, I would have trouble deciding between Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley.