Cosmographia
Description
Research
Translation

Music research on the creation of macrocosmos and microcosmos submitted by Fabian Lochner, in collaboration with John McDowell.

In his dialogue, the Timaeus, Plato evokes the powerful picture of a universe infused through and through with soul. This cosmic soul, says Plato, is structured according to musical ratios. These ratios in turn form a musical scale which orders the relationship of the celestial spheres, and wells up in the microcosmic experience of the human being as musical harmony. Thus Plato suggests that the principle of harmony is at the heart of the created universe. It is what brings the Different into a relationship with itself that reflects its origin in the unity of the Same. Because the Cosmic Soul itself is musical, the human art of music is closely connected with the innermost nature of things, and their evolving relationships. The practice of music as an art can therefore become a true path of spiritual research that may reveal the inner voice of particular cosmic beings, deeds, and relationships.

The project presented in this proposal seeks to engage this path of spriritual-artistic research by exploring, through means of musical composition, a medieval version of the Platonic myth of the World Soul: The epic poem Cosmographia by Bernardus Silvestris, one of the foremost masters of the twelfth-century School of Chartres.

Melding the account of Genesis with Platonic cosmology, Hermetic wisdom, Arabic astrology, as well as original insights into the spiritual origins of humankind, Cosmographia describes the collaboration between the spiritual beings Natura (Nature) and Nous (the Divine Wisdom) in transforming the chaotic state of Silva (primeval matter) by means of harmonic bonds of light, love and life. Their joint efforts culminate in the creation of the human being who is able to embrace both heavenly and earthly principles. (See below for a more detailed description of the plot).

The story of Cosmographia raises deep questions that may be of great interest to human beings striving for the spirit at the end of our century:
1. What or who are the beings of Natura (Nature) and Nous /Minerva/Sophia (the Divine Wisdom)?
2. How can beings such as Natura and Nous/Sophia come to be experienced by the modern human being?

In accordance with the Platonic epistemology sketched above, it is the particular intention of this proposal to approach these questions not from a conceptual point of view (thought expressed through language), but from a musical point of view (thoughts expressed through musical relationships). Questions that form the artistic research process are: Through what qualities of tones, rhythms, harmonies, orchestrations, phrases etc. can the being of Natura or Nous be revealed? What is the musical expression of their creative gestures: ordering the elements, placing the orbits of the planets, fashioning the earth, etc.?

The applicant, Fabian Lochner, has researched this project for eight years, since his studies of medieval music and culture at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. He and his colleague, composer John McDowell, have begun to collaborate on the project since the Fall of 1995. Their goal is to create Cosmographia as a fully staged two-hour music drama, complete with on-stage chorus, soloists, orchestra, eurythmy, dance, costumes, and stage-sets. They are planning to write, rehearse, and perform the piece in increments over the coming three years.

The first scene (Natura's plea to Nous, ca. 10 min. length) has already been completed and performed by Sunbridge Chorus at Threefold Auditorium in Chestnut Ridge, New York, in May, 1996. The second and third scenes (Nous's response, and the ordering of the elements, each an additional 10-15 min. length) will be added in performances in December 1996 and May 1997. We hope to usher in the new millenium with the completed work. At that time, a national and international tour for Cosmographia, and workshops about its theme and process, are planned.

With warm regards,

Fabian Lochner, Ph.D.

Selected Bibliography: Bernardus Silvestris. De mundi universitate (Cosmographia), ed. C.S. Barach, J.Wrobel, Innsbruck, 1876. Bernardus Silvestris. Cosmographia. translated by Winthrop Wetherbee. New York, 1973. Brian Stock. Myth and Science in the Twelfth Century: A Study of Bernardus Silvestris. Princeton 1972. Rudolf Steiner. Esoterische Betrachtungen karmischer Zusammenhänge. Vols.3-6, Dornach 1977-1982. René Querido. The Golden Age of Chartres. The teachings of a Mystery School and the Eternal Feminine. Edinburgh, 1987.