Arthur Lintgen
Encyclopedia
Arthur B. Lintgen is a United States
physician
who can recognize classical phonograph records with a naked eye. He lives in Philadelphia. He claims no extrasensory powers. This ability was verified by James Randi
in 1982.
When Arthur B. Lintgen sees a vinyl record, he can recognize the music in a couple of seconds. Based on the physical construction and the grooves and contours on the record, he can recognize sections where music is loud or quiet, the length of each movement
and so on. Then he uses his extensive knowledge of European classical music to recognize the music. He can also draw extra information about the structure of the vinyl; for example, because records from different companies are slightly different, he can sometimes guess the conductor.
However, his ability is strictly limited to classical orchestral music by and after Beethoven
. He says instrumental and chamber music creates unrecognizable patterns, and that pre-Beethoven orchestral pieces are usually too alike in structure to identify. When given an Alice Cooper
recording as a control
, he said it looked "disorganized" and "[like] gibberish". Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
is the most common record he is asked to identify; on one occasion he identified the record on a guess without even glancing at it.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who can recognize classical phonograph records with a naked eye. He lives in Philadelphia. He claims no extrasensory powers. This ability was verified by James Randi
James Randi
James Randi is a Canadian-American stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. Randi is the founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation...
in 1982.
When Arthur B. Lintgen sees a vinyl record, he can recognize the music in a couple of seconds. Based on the physical construction and the grooves and contours on the record, he can recognize sections where music is loud or quiet, the length of each movement
Movement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
and so on. Then he uses his extensive knowledge of European classical music to recognize the music. He can also draw extra information about the structure of the vinyl; for example, because records from different companies are slightly different, he can sometimes guess the conductor.
However, his ability is strictly limited to classical orchestral music by and after Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
. He says instrumental and chamber music creates unrecognizable patterns, and that pre-Beethoven orchestral pieces are usually too alike in structure to identify. When given an Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
recording as a control
Scientific control
Scientific control allows for comparisons of concepts. It is a part of the scientific method. Scientific control is often used in discussion of natural experiments. For instance, during drug testing, scientists will try to control two groups to keep them as identical and normal as possible, then...
, he said it looked "disorganized" and "[like] gibberish". Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804–08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music, and one of the most often played symphonies. It comprises four movements: an opening sonata, an andante, and a fast...
is the most common record he is asked to identify; on one occasion he identified the record on a guess without even glancing at it.