© Rachel Kolly d’Alba
On the Strength of Music, On an Audience, and What Philosophers Considered:
Art opens our perspectives and minds, it asks us questions, opens the imagination, and makes us feel passion. I share Aristotle's idea in the Politic and Poetic that music has an influence on souls, as both soul and music are "Harmonies". If "Harmonies" change, the mood of the soul therefore changes with and adapts to the music. That was his idea: That music is the instrument of communion through all generations, it influences our moods and, as such, is more powerful than the other arts.
Despite his attacks on Wagner, In the Geneology of Morals, Nietzsche still places truth in seeking beauty through music. Proust says it through his passion for music, in La Recherche du Temps Perdu. Both Stendhal, or Sartre in his letters wrote that being a classical musician is certainly the last artistic profession where one cannot lie to an audience. One must practice and have hours of experience and studies before going on stage to "make art".
According to principles of Music Therapy, through harmonies and rhythms we dive into our own feelings, our own lives, our wounds and happy memories. But always with the possibility to heal the soul through powerful communion with others.
Aristotle knew that everybody has different sensitivities and can be moved on different levels, but during the experience of a shared concert, we can, theoretically, purify ourselves through the changes of emotions experienced in the music.
Music is useful to have a balanced life. We propose moments where the individuals can feel themselves united. An ideal performance would make us feel reunited: soul, mind and body. As such, music can provide for the soul's nourishment.
Kant thought in the Critique of Pure Reason that the more we have contact with beauty in Art, the more human and humane we become as good and involved citizens. In Kant’s concept, the "categorical necessity," the premise is that if our actions are edicted by some universal laws (about what is good or not for a society), it means we therefore must live a "model life." Kant thought that moral moments such as music help us make a better society and be better involved in political life. "Agis uniquement d’après la maxime qui fait que tu puisses vouloir en même temps qu’elle devienne une loi universelle"; Communion in art could be the best form to civilize a spirit.
Descartes wrote, I think, therefore, I am. I could add: I make music, therefore, I am.
TEXT: Rachel Kolly d’Alba
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