Cosmic Music: Musical Keys to the Interpretation of Reality

Joscelyn Godwin, Editor; Marius Schneider; Rudolf Haase; Hans Erhard Lauer;

ISBN 10: 089281070X / ISBN 13: 9780892810703

Published by Inner Traditions, Rochester, VT, 1989

About this Item

First US edition 1989, first printing, numbers line starts with 1, translated from German. Trade softcover without DJ as issued. Condition as new, square tight and crisp book, no edgewear, spine not creased, sharp corners, no names no underlinings no highlights, not a reminder. 8vo, 256 pages, index.

Seller Inventory # 016902

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Cosmic Music: Musical Keys to the Interpretation of Reality
• Publisher: Inner Traditions, Rochester, VT
• Publication Date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 089281070X
• ISBN 13: 9780892810703
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st US edition
• Condition: New
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

About this title

Synopsis

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."

About the Author

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.