Truth in Melody

Catalog description

This course is intended as a thematic exploration of German music and philosophy from the time of Martin Luther to the present. It will test the hypothesis that music and philosophy are inextricably bound together as mutually determining expressions of the German Zeitgeist (“Spirit of the Time”). The idea is that the unique cultural identity of each period in the development of German culture is shaped and expressed primarily by the music and philosophy of the time. Believing that there is “truth in melody,” German culture gave rise to the likes of Mozart, Beethoven and Kant as well as to Wagner and Nietzsche, just to name a few of the musicians and philosophers to be covered. The course is divided into two parts: the first explores the theme of revolution beginning with the father of modern Germany music and philosophy, Martin Luther, up to the music of Mozart and Beethoven and the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. The second part of the course explores the science of aesthetics from Kant, Moses Mendelssohn to the 20th century philosopher, Theodor Adorno, within the musical context of Felix Mendelssohn, Liszt, Strauss and Wagner. Core courses are not open to Freshmen or Sophomores, except for associate degree candidates.