Sounding Desire - An Evening of Music and Philosophy

A Stroll (over the River Lea)

As the audience members take their seats, visuals of a peaceful stroll over the River Lea play, creating a calming atmosphere. The music fades, and the stage goes dark, enveloped in silence. Suddenly, a single spotlight illuminates a part of the stage. Simon Critchley (SC) enters, finds his place, and addresses the audience:

SC: Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am Simon Critchley, and lurking in the darkness is John Simmons. Together, we are Critchley & Simmons—not a firm of solicitors, but a vibrant exploration of words, sounds, and images.

Music matters immensely to many people, but its significance and impact remain enigmatic. Why does music matter? Why does it speak to us so powerfully? A little philosophy may help. Tonight, we’ll peer into the enigma of music, shedding some light on its mystery.

We begin with Albert Freiherr von Thimus (1806-1878), a lawyer, judge, and Prussian politician whose work on music, Die harmonikale Symbolik des Alterthums (The Harmonic Symbolism of the Ancient World), was largely ignored during his lifetime. Von Thimus delved into the ancient Pythagorean theory of music, the so-called “harmony of the spheres,” which posits that the heavenly bodies produce sounds as they move through space. This idea has persisted throughout history, with many considering music to be a reflection of the universe’s mathematical harmony and perfection.

But is music truly a reflection of the celestial harmony, an echo of God’s mind? The universe’s discordant nature makes it difficult for us to accept this interpretation. However, the harmony of the spheres responds to a deep human need to believe that music transcends cultural specificities and resonates with the way the world is.

Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) believed that music was the highest of the arts and that it worked with the thing itself, whereas other arts dealt with shadows. For Schopenhauer, music was a representation of both the Will and the world itself as it truly is. He attempted to maintain the cosmic significance of music while acknowledging that music is entirely an expression of the Will.

Friedrich Nietzsche, initially a disciple of Schopenhauer and Wagner, later vehemently criticized their views on music. In his mature work, Nietzsche argued that the Latin exuberance and life-affirmation of Bizet’s Carmen were far superior to the heavy, somber tones of late Wagner.

In the end, the meaning of music and its role in our lives remain elusive. Perhaps the exploration of its enigma is precisely what makes it so captivating and powerful.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME