Cosmic Music
Musical Keys to the Interpretation of Reality
Published on 1. December 1989
256 pages
978-1-62055-094-6 (ISBN)
Description
The idea that the universe is created out of sound or music (and therefore is music) is a very ancient one. In this book, Joscelyn Godwin brings together three contemporary German thinkers who exemplify this tradition in its modern variants: Marius Schneider, Rudolf Haase, and Hans Erhard Lauer. The selections draw on ancient Indian sources and mythology; Kepler's Platonic vision of a musical, geometric universe; and the evolution of the tone systems of music.
While every music lover senses the power and truth that reside in music, very few actually approach music as a path to cosmic knowledge. Godwin takes literally Beethoven's assertion that "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom or philosophy." Godwin writes, ". . .to penetrate the mysteries of music is to prepare for initiation into those fathomless mysteries of man and cosmos."
While every music lover senses the power and truth that reside in music, very few actually approach music as a path to cosmic knowledge. Godwin takes literally Beethoven's assertion that "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom or philosophy." Godwin writes, ". . .to penetrate the mysteries of music is to prepare for initiation into those fathomless mysteries of man and cosmos."
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Person
Professor of music at Colgate University, Joscelyn Godwin is also the author of Harmonies of Heaven and Earth. Although complete in itself, Cosmic Music is his contribution to a larger movement that seeks to deepen and broaden our consciousness of what music is, and what it can be.
Content
Introduction by Joscelyn Godwin
Marius Schneider:
The Nature of the Praise Song
Acoustic Symbolism in Foreign Cultures
Rudolf Haase:
Harmonics and Sacred Tradition
Kepler's World Harmony and its Significance for Today
The Sequel to Kepler's Harmony
Hans Erhard Lauer:
Mozart and Beethoven in the Development of Western Culture
A Meditation on Cultural History for Mozart's 200th Birthday
The Evolution of Music Through Changes in Tone-Systems
Appendix and Index:
Johannes Kepler:
Mysterium Cosmographicum
Harmonies Mundi (1619), Book V
Index
Marius Schneider:
The Nature of the Praise Song
Acoustic Symbolism in Foreign Cultures
Rudolf Haase:
Harmonics and Sacred Tradition
Kepler's World Harmony and its Significance for Today
The Sequel to Kepler's Harmony
Hans Erhard Lauer:
Mozart and Beethoven in the Development of Western Culture
A Meditation on Cultural History for Mozart's 200th Birthday
The Evolution of Music Through Changes in Tone-Systems
Appendix and Index:
Johannes Kepler:
Mysterium Cosmographicum
Harmonies Mundi (1619), Book V
Index
