The Essence of Tonality / The Parsifal Christ-Experience: An Attempt to View Musical Subjects in the Light of Spiritual Science

The unique scholarship and artistic sensitivity of Prof. Dr Hermann Beckh (1875–1937) is in the process of being rediscovered. The great linguist, Orientalist and Christian priest – an active music-lover who also composed – penned pioneer works on our musical system that are respected by musicians and musicologists. This volume brings together two revised versions of his best-loved books. The Essence of Tonality is written ‘…for musicians and music-lovers who, because of their particular musicality experience something spiritual – and for spiritual seekers and sensitive people who, because of their particular spirituality, have experienced a connection with music.’ Beckh believed a spiritual view of tonality would ensure music’s, and humanity’s, future. The author elucidates the correspondence of the circle of fifths (the keys) to the zodiac. Research should be directed towards the twelve vital, spiritual key-centres, as expressing the cosmic rhythms in which we all live, rather than the abstract twelve chromatic notes of atonality. In The Parsifal Christ-Experience, Beckh’s original insights throw new and powerful light on the search for meaning in our age, for a knowledge of the heart. In the poetic libretto and remarkable music of his final creation, Wagner – acknowledged by Bruckner as ‘the Master’ – presents the Grail legend and its imagery. The psychological drama and its ultimate solution provide insights to anyone who is prepared to reflect on inner experience. Through Beckh’s references to Wagner’s own letters, as well as a remarkable letter from Nietzsche, the reader gains knowledge of the true nature of Wagner and his work.

Table of Contents:
Part 1: THE ESSENCE OF TONALITY – Author’s Prefaces – Translator’s Preface – Postscript – Part 2: THE PARSIFAL=CHRIST=EXPERIENCE – Translator’s Preface – Introduction: ‘Richard Wagner and Christianity’ – Chapter I: The Christ-Mystery in the Prelude to Parsifal – Chapter II: The Drama of the Christ-Experience in Parsifal – Scene 1. The Swan – Scene 2. The Walk to the Grail Castle – Scene 3. Amfortas and the Grail – Scene 4. The Gesture towards the Heart—Parsifal shakes his Head – Scene 5. Parsifal in Klingsor’s Realm: Awakening to Knowledge – Scene 6. Kundry-Herodias: ‘There His gaze fell upon me.’ – Scene 7. The Redeeming Gaze of Christ: Karfreitagszauber – Appendix I: From Scene 2, The growth of the Gaze Motif in the transition music of Act I (The Walk to the Grail Castle) – Appendix II: From Scene 6, Kundry-Herodias: ‘I looked at Him—and laughed …’ – Appendix III: Twilight of the Gods and Resurrection: Wagner’s Mythological Wisdom by Emil Bock – Appendix IV: King Ludwig II of Bavaria on the 70th anniversary of his death by Rudolf Frieling

About the Author :
HERMANN BECKH (1875-1937) studied Law and later Sanskrit, becoming Professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Berlin. A master of ancient and modern languages, he wrote extensively on religious and philosophical subjects, including Buddhism, Indology, Christianity, Alchemy and Music. In 1911, he heard a lecture by Rudolf Steiner and was inspired to join the Anthroposophical Society, where he soon became a valued co-worker. In 1922, he helped found The Christian Community, a movement for religious renewal. His many books are gradually being translated from the original German and published in English.