%0 Journal Article %A Paul Robertson %T What is musical genius? %D 2008 %R 10.7861/clinmedicine.8-2-178 %J Clinical Medicine %P 178-181 %V 8 %N 2 %X While musical genius must have neuro-biological basis it is defined and understood within prevailing cultural frameworks. In order to measure it historic and aesthetic traditions and assumptions need to be considered. Child prodigies and savants are discussed as well as traditional associations that suggest that depression and the melancholic personality have particular relevance in musical creativity and originality. %U https://www.rcpjournals.org/content/clinmedicine/8/2/178.full.pdf