Product 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."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #509436 in Books
• Published on: 1989-12-01
• Released on: 1989-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
The most original and exciting text currently available on the ancient musical mysteries. -- East West

Review
"The most original and exciting text currently available on the ancient musical mysteries."
(East West )

From the Back Cover
MUSIC / PHILOSOPHY

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." He writes:

". . .to penetrate the mysteries of music is to prepare for initiation into those fathomless mysteries of man and cosmos. One's discoveries will be pregnant with implications for every department of life. . ."

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.