Kierkegaard | Music | Ordinary Time

Here is a fun post; a post to simply enjoy. In the midst of ‘ordinary time’ (in this case shopping for groceries) an extraordinary moment bursts forth. In our quest to “keep learning” here is an introduction from Søren Kierkegaard for your consideration:

Language addresses itself to the ear. No other medium does this. The ear is the most spiritually determined of the senses. That I believe most men will admit. Aside from language, music is the only medium that addresses itself to the ear. Herein is again an analogy and a testimony concerning the sense in which music is a language. … Language has time as its element; all other media have space as their element.

… it is only in an unreal sense that music exists when it is read. It really exists only being performed

Music is the only other one that takes place in time. … Music exists only in the moment of its performance, for if one were ever so skillful in reading notes and had ever so lively an imagination, it cannot be denied that it is only in an unreal sense that music exists when it is read. It really exists only being performed. This might seem to be an imperfection in this art as compared with the others whose productions remain, because they have their existence in the sensuous. Yet this is not so. It is rather a proof of the fact that music is a higher, or more spiritual art.

Søren Kierkegaard Either/Or Part I, Swenson p. 66-67

Enjoy:

Author: Daniel Rondeau

I am a husband and father and an Episcopal Priest (now retired) in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

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