IDEAS ABOUT MUSIC

IDEAS ABOUT MUSIC

The Master told us:

"Anyone who aspires to sing should have a mind which is sublime and a flexible will. Music exists which is suffused with light and warmth: it is known as the 'music of the emotions'. In reality this is not a music of the emotions, but the Music of Love. However, the real Music of Love has not yet been given to humankind. Contemporary music is not the Music of Love: it is the music of the emotions.

"There is music which travels with the buffalo-wagon; another -with the horse-wagon. And then there is the Music which travels on Her own. I like this Music best.

"Music and poetry must work together, hand in hand - and philosophy must follow. Music will provide the vanguard; poetry will provide the form; and philosophy will provide the impulse for them.

"When a person sings or plays an instrument, he should impart form, substance and inspiration to the music - which is to say: significance.

"Music exists in all three worlds: the Ideal, the Real, and in the physical. In the Ideal World, Music is without discord; in the Real world, only one discord exists; and in the physical world - fifty.

"Every tone has a specific wave with its amplitude. The waves of the tone 'fa' [F] have a circular form, overlapping and closed.

"Every tone can be sublime when it is suffused with light, warmth and power. The mind receives the light of tones; the heart receives the warmth; and the soul - the power. Some music carries predominantly light; other kind of music - warmth; still others - power. Some people are inspired by the beauty of a tone; others - by the warmth; and still others - by the power which it carries. These are the three fundamental qualities of music. When the combinations and permutations are added, these become seven.

"In the old music, the aim had been towards softness. And yet, music which becomes too soft loses its power, and such music becomes effusively sentimental. If, however, the harmony dominates - then the music will sound harsh.

"There are more than 300 octaves. For example, the tone 'do' [C] is repeated more than 300 times. The highest octaves only exist in the sublime worlds; the human ear cannot hear them yet.

"The race which is coming will give a new impulse to music. Consider a person who is inclined to do something bad. And yet, by listening to this new music, his inclination is relinquished. Music awakens the Divine within people, and they will heed its call.

"It is not the intensity of the sound which gives significance to music, but beauty and softness. Within the beauty and softness of music - great power exists. The one who sings loudly will attract inferior beings to himself; however, the one who sings softly and gently will attract beings who are more sublime.

"The Gospel of Music is Love.

"A violinist who has given many concerts may have experienced material success. And yet, the most important concert of his life will be the one which can dissolve someone's despair or can awaken in those who listen to his music the desire to become good and noble, to love their fellow man, and to have love for God.

"Music awakens the center for reason in man; the aspiration towards the beautiful and sublime in the world; develops the center of rhythm; etc.

"If a musician would work from his mind more, then when you would listen to his music every candle within you would be set on fire. Should his music come from his heart - then you would feel warmth within; and should it come from his will - then the power of his music would give you the impulse to progress.

"Within every tone, three 'angels' can be heard: one of the will; one of the heart; and one of the mind.

"The soprano from above brings light; the bass from below brings warmth. Should you perform as a bass - then the emotions will participate more. The tenor brings the power of the will; and the alto - the adornment. The bass is included that he may provide the foundation. The soprano brings beauty. The soprano - more than anyone else - represents Divine Beauty; all the others are arranged around her for adornment.

"The playfulness of contemporary music is needed to bring about health. Health is result of Divine Harmony in Nature.

"Tempo in music may be understood by the following: adagio is like a ripe grain of wheat - its movement is slow. Allegro may be compared to the movement of the horses in the moment in which they rear.

"If you pluck one and the same tone on the violin - first with one finger, and then with a second, and a third - there will be a difference: the tones will not be the same.

"Musicians experience different levels to their inspiration. The mind of a musician - and the solar plexus as well - must participate in the creative process. At times, the mind alone participates; at other times - only the solar plexus. In the latter case, clarity is lacking.

"In order for the voice to be transmitted afar, it must first be transmitted to the etheric and then into the atmosphere.

"Should a violinist desire to play well, he must instill his spirit into the instrument; he must interpret the music as he plays, that he may make his music understandable to his audience. And for this reason, the violinist must think when he plays.

"Musicians receive guidance from above.

"All musicians feel disturbed when they perform. They are impeded by the idea that they might not be well received. A musician must be given total freedom of expression when he performs that he may develop rapport with his audience. What will help him to develop this rapport? He should love his audience. Musicians must be able to feel in their hearts the soul of a people.

"A fundamental rhythm exists: a rhythm that is common to all of humankind. And yet, particular nuances for each culture exist within this rhythm.

"In some of the songs of the music today, the lyrics do not correspond to the melody. For example, one verse might be in ascension; whereas the melody - might be in descension, and vice versa. It is better when right correspondence exists between the lyrics and the melody. Whenever a gifted musician plays, the Divine within his music is spread throughout the earth for the good of all.

"When the Angels play their Music, the trees bloom. The entire plant kingdom is created through Music.

"Wherever flowers are in bloom - if you have a perceptive ear -you will hear music. Wherever the Angels sing or play, the trees grow: the buds of their branches blossom with leaves unfurled and give forth fruit. Music becomes a physical manifestation: the fruit is the end result of the Angelic Music.

"Should a violinist or singer perform for the fruit trees or the wheat in the fields, the fruit trees would mature as would the stalks of wheat and more fruit and grain would be given forth. One can conduct experiments in this direction. In order to tell if somebody is a good musician, we will ask him to play, and then observe whether or not the flowers blossom.

"Music which is combined with movement is able to transform a person's state with ease.

"When a person speaks, he should speak musically: not in a monotone. I understand this to mean: when a person speaks aloud, this should sound like music.

"Whenever a musician plays, thousands of Beings from the Invisible World participate. The musician of genius is a product of collective effort. The one who plays or sings with Love connects with the musical Beings who surround and inspire him.

"To sing without inspiration is mechanical. When, however, you sing or play out of inspiration, you connect with musicians from the spiritual world. Then your work will progress. When you do not feel inspired - this is because you are not connected with these musicians, and your work will not progress.

"When a prominent musician comes into the world, the inclination for music increases.

"The stage fright which comes over great musicians before a concert is a sign that musical Beings of genius from the Invisible World are participating. This can be compared to the wealthy man who guards his jewels fearing that they might be taken away from him.

"The music of Paganini is a breath of fresh air: joyful. He had lived under limiting conditions; however he composed joyful, refreshing music through which he set himself free. Thus, we feel something innocent and childlike in his music. The art of replication was strongly developed in him.

"Beethoven, as well, struggled to achieve freedom of expression - to free his spirit. Therefore, the themes of struggle and freedom are found throughout his music. Through his music, Beethoven tells us, 'The Music which has set me free, will set you free as well.' The Invisible World had to put Beethoven under adverse conditions that lie might compose and seek the Truth; otherwise, he might not have composed that which he gave to humankind. There are places in his music which demonstrate that he had come to know the Love of God: that he has received an insight into the World of Great Reality.

"Mozart is a Venus type: his music is joyous.

"The music of Chopin gives expression to the great trials through which the Polish people must pass."

One sister inquired: "Master, how is music best applied in education?"

"Education must first begin with music. It will provide the impulse for sublime ideas and sublime desires. People today must make use of music as an educational tool. Children should learn songs primarily about nature, and first of all, about the fruit trees: cherry, apple, pear and so on."

Peter Deunov (Beinsa Douno)