The NIETZSCHE CIRCLE with the support of Deutsches Haus presents
SCULPTING IN MUSIC: NIETZSCHE’S EARLY THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS.
A RECITAL AND LECTURE BY DR. BENJAMIN MORITZ
Is it possible to hear Nietzsche’s compositions anew? To reconsider them in a different light and make a fresh assessment of works which have suffered from preexisting prejudices? Please join us for this unique event wherein Dr. Moritz will examine Nietzsche’s music and its relationship to his thought, seeing it as another form of experimentation for the philosopher. This event will feature a live performance of music by Nietzsche and Chopin. A dialogue with the audience will follow after which there will be a wine and cheese reception.
SCULPTING IN MUSIC
Friedrich Nietzsche’s music has long held an unusual place in his works, considered by many in the philosophical world as an amateurish indulgence and almost completely ignored by those in the musical world. Publicly available only through the efforts of Curt Paul Janz, the music is difficult to find and even more difficult to properly evaluate. Additionally, members of the discipline best suited to evaluating his compositions – music – frequently harbor preexisting prejudices against the writer who so bitterly attacked the revered (if not always beloved) Richard Wagner. Even in Frederick Love’s short work, Young Nietzsche and the Wagnerian Experience – the most substantial analysis of Nietzsche’s music to date – the compositions are examined only in reference to Nietzsche’s relationship with Wagner. By ignoring the music itself, the musical world has deprived itself of several pieces worthy of admittance to the standard performing repertoire and the philosophical world has missed an opportunity to observe an important facet of Nietzsche’s inherently interdisciplinary philosophy.
Nietzsche’s musical output – concentrated in his early years – provided him with a medium in which to experiment and refine ideas that would later reappear in more finished forms in his mature works. When specific instances of musical experimentation are examined, a pattern of musical ‘prototypes’ emerges in which Nietzsche utilizes musical composition to extrapolate the effects of altering accepted concepts. I will perform several of Nietzsche’s works and discuss their unique attributes in relation to his simultaneous intellectual development. In particular, I will focus on two of his musical experiments: the rhetorical use of tonality within formal structures, and the application of ancient Greek theories of rhythm.
DR. BENJAMIN MORITZ
Pianist Dr. Benjamin Moritz has performed as a soloist throughout the world, including recent recitals in Bolivia, Turkey, Cyprus and the United States. He received his Bachelor of Music from Bradley University, his Master of Music degree from Indiana University, and his Doctorate of Music from Northwestern University. He is a frequent performer at summer festivals, including the Val Tidone festival in Italy and the Blue Lake Summer Arts Festival in Michigan. A strong proponent of chamber music, Moritz frequently performs with artists throughout Wisconsin, and gives frequent recitals with Turkish cellist Özgür Elgün. The duo recently performed at the Chicago Cultural Center, and has given recitals in Cyprus and Turkey, including the prestigious Istanbul Philharmonic Chamber Music Series.
Dr. Moritz has also done extensive research into the music of Friedrich Nietzsche, and has given numerous lecture recitals and talks concerning connections between his philosophy and music. An active pedagogue, Dr. Moritz has given master classes and seminars at universities and conservatories throughout the world. Most recently he was the guest speaker and performer at the Gladys Frisch Harris Piano Festival at Hastings College, and gave master classes at Bursa Conservatory in Turkey.
Saturday, November 19th
NYU’s Deutsches Haus
42 Washington Mews (@ University Place)
7 PM
Admission: $5
The Nietzsche Circle will be staging monthly events of which further notices may be found here; some events include music recitals, book publications, and lectures on art. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please contact us at goatvines@hotmail.com.
Thank you for your support and interest and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Books will be available for purchase including the works of Nietzsche as well as works by those who have spoken on behalf of the Nietzsche Circle, including such eminent scholars as Dr. Walter Sokel.
“How little is needed for happiness! . . . Without music life would be a mistake.”
– Nietzsche
See also http://nietzschecircle.com/events.html and http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/?do=browse_projects&category=Other&letter=N
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