Philosophical Research Society
3910 Los Feliz Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027

Wednesday August 13th

7pm-8:30pm

From Western esotericism to Eastern awareness: a shift in music and mysticism in the 20th century, a talk with Fahad Siadat

an exploration of our evolving relationship with the phenomenon of music as a sacred and mystical experience from Pythagoras to John Cage and beyond

The 20th century saw a fascinating evolution in the relationship between music and mysticism, shifting from a primarily Western, hermetic/alchemical/magical perspective to one deeply influenced by Eastern concepts of perception, consciousness, presence, and awareness. This shift was propelled by pioneering artists who integrated these new ideas into their musical practices, and the influence continues to evolve in contemporary music.

This lecture looks at the primary principles of Western music from an esoteric perspective, how it evolved over the centuries, and the radical changes in musical philosophy during the post-modern 20th Century in America. We’ll look at writing and listen to composition examples from key artists in the 20th Century, including John Cage, Terry Riley, Le Monte Young, and Pauline Oliveros, as well has how musicians are continuing to evolve those ideas in the 21st Century.