Music and the Theosophical Movement

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Music has long been appreciated as an expression of spirituality within the Theosophical Movement. Musical performances are featured at many Theosophical gatherings such as lodge meetings, conferences, and children's classes. Music is one of the special areas embraced by the Theosophical Order of Service.

This article summarizes the relationship between Theosophists and music. See also:

Performing Arts and the Theosophical Movement

Popular Culture and the Theosophical Movement

Musicians influenced by Theosophy

• Concordia Antarova (1886-1959) was a Russian contralto who starred in the Bolshoi Theater for more than twenty years, and later wrote Theosophical texts.

• Agustín Pío Barrios (1885-1944) was a Paraguayan composer and virtuoso performer of classical guitar music who was influenced by Theosophy. He sometimes used the names Agustín Barrios Mangoré and Nitsuga Mangoré in homage to Paraguay's native Guarani culture.

• Charles Wakefield Cadman (1881-1946) was an American composer who was a member of the American Theosophical Society. Many of his compositions were in classical formats, but he was especially known for his adaptations of Native American themes and instruments.

• Margaret Cousins (1878-1954) was an Irish Theosophist and educator who composed the music for the Indian National anthem, working with lyricist Rabindranath Tagore.

• Renato de Grandis (1927-2008) was an Italian composer, musicologist, writer and Theosophist.

• John Foulds (1880-1939) was an English Theosophist, cellist, and composer in the English Musical Renaissance.

• Charles Elliott Fouser (1889-1046) was an American composer and music professor.

• Lloyd Loar was an American musician, instrument designer and sound engineer.

• Maud MacCarthy (1882-1967) was an Irish composer and and authority on Indian music, and a Theosophist.

• Gustav Mahler(1860-1911) was an Austrian late-Romantic composer and conductor.

• Vahdah Olcott-Bickford (1885-1961) was an American guitarist, teacher, composer, arranger, and writer. Her Guitar Method, Op. 25, and the Advanced Course, Op. 116, continue to be highly influential. She and her husband Zarh Bickford were avid astrologers and had many connections to the Theosophical Movement.

• Dane Rudhyar (1895-1985) was a French-American composer, writer, artist, and astrologer.

• Marie Russak Hotchener (1865-1945) was an American opera singer, architect, writer, editor, and secretary to H. S. Olcott and Annie Besant; she was quite prominent in the Theosophical Society (Adyar).

• Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915) was a Russian pianist and composer who was much influenced by Theosophy and by the Symbolist movement in the visual arts.

• Cyril Scott (1879-1970) was an English composer and Theosophist.

• James Ingall Wedgwood (1883-1951) was an accomplished organist and expert on organ construction best known as the first Presiding Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church.

• Eden Ahbez (1908-1995) was an American songwriter who wrote "Nature Boy," a hit for Nat King Cole in 1948. Ahbez led a lifestyle that was a model for the Beat Generation and the hippies. He stated that Theosophy was an influence, and is known to have associated with several Theosophists.

Other Theosophists who were musicians

Many Theosophists were accomplished musicians without making music their means of livelihood. Some include an engineer, singer, and pianist, Edi D. Bilimoria; Alice L. Cleather, a student of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky; international lecturer Clara Codd; Theosophical leader Arthur L. Conger, Jr.; adventurer Alexandra David-Néel; Maud MacCarthy; and piano teacher Marie Poutz.

Others who may not have been TS members but were influenced by Theosophy include Arnold Trevor Bax, English composer, poet, and author; Agardi Metrovich, an Italian or Hungarian opera singer and an early friend of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky; and painter Paul Klee.

Additional resources

Cover of Leland book

Articles

• Music, Theosophy and at Theosophy World.

Books and pamphlets

Writings about music are vast. This is a selection of titles that are especially relevant to Theosophists. Most are available from the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library.

• Arundale, Rukmini Devi. Dance and Music. Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1952. 16 pages.
• Beaulieu, John. Music and Sound in the Healing Arts: an Energy Approach. Station Hill Press, 1987.
• Bull, Evelyn Benham. Music Therapy: its Future. Division of Music, Theosophical Order of Service, 1964.
• Campbell, Don. Music: physician for times to come : an Anthology. 1993.
• Campbell, Don G. Music and Miracles. Wheaton, Ill.: Quest Books, Theosophical Pub. House, 1992.
• Crandall, Joanne. Self-Transformation through Music. Theosophical Publishing House, 1986. Other editions.
• Ertan, Deniz. Dane Rudhyar: his Music, Thought, and Art. University of Rochester Press, 2009.
• Fabre d'Olivet, Antoine. Music explained as science and art: and considered in its analogical relations to religious mysteries, ancient mythology, and the history of the world. Rochester, Vt.: Inner Traditions, 1987.
• Foulds, John. Music To-day: its heritage from the past, and legacy to the future. Noverre Press, 2010.
• Godwin, Joscelyn. Music, Mysticism, and Magic: a Sourcebook. Several editions.
• Godwin, Joscelyn. Music and the Occult: French Musical Philosophies, 1750-1950. University of Rochester Press, 1995.
• Hall, Manly P. The Therapeutic Value of Music. Philosophical Research Society, 1955.
• Heline, Corinne. Esoteric Music of Richard Wagner.
• Heline, Corinne. Healing and Regeneration through Color/Music. DeVorss, 1993.
• Heline, Corinne. Music, the Keynote of Human Evolution. New Age Press, 1965.
• Hodson, Geoffrey. Music Forms: superphysical effects of music clairvoyantly observed. Theosophical Publishing House, 19xx.
• Inayat Khan. The Mysticism of Sound and Music. Boston: Shambhala, 1996.
• Leland, Kurt. Music and the Soul: A Listener's Guide to Transcendent Musical Experiences. Hampton Roads Publishing Company,, 2004. 434 pages. To see the contents of the books, see Kurt's website.
• Licht, Sidney. Music in Medicine. New England Conservatory of Music, 1946.
• Lingerman, Hal A. The Healing Energies of Music. Quest Books, 1993.
• Mayer, Elizabeth C. The Lotus Songbook. New York: Elizabeth C. Mayer 1897.
• Podolsky, Edward. Music Therapy. New York: Philosophical Library, [1954].
• Rosicrucian Fellowship. The musical scale and the scheme of evolution. 1949.
• Scott, Cyril. Music, its Secret Influence Throughout the Ages.
• Sturzaker, James. Sound and Color. Theosophical Order of Service, 197x. 16 pages.
• Ward, William C. The Art of Richard Wagner. London and Benares: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1906.
• Warner, Sybil Marguerite, Music and Listeners. London: Service Magazine and Publications, 1923. London: Service Magazine and Publications, 1923. Foreword by C. Jinarajadasa; original edition London: Service Magazine and Publications, 1911.

Audio recordings

These lectures about music are available as CDs or DVDs from the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library.

• Music, mythology, and medicine: harmonies of the spheres by Jeanne Martin. Krotona School of Theosophy, 2014. CD.
• Journeys into meditation and music by Hal A. Lingerman. Theosophical Scoiety in America, 2007. CD.
• The wisdom & power of music: an innovative program to enhance your health, creativity, and communication by Don G. Campbell. Quest Audio, Theosophical Publishing House, 2006. CD.
• The miracle of self-generated healing by Don G. Campbell. Theosophical Society in America, 1995. CD.