I will give some examples of what I am thinking of:
- Richard Strauss’ classical music piece titled “Also Sprach Zarathustra” seems to very effectively express some of the elements of the philosophy of Nietzsche.
- Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony seems to express some of the philosophical ideas in the air during the period of the Napoleonic Wars.
- Some consider Richard Wagner’s operas (especially his later works) to express certain philosophical ideas that are attractive to people within right wing “folk” or populist movements.
- Some people regard the former psychology professor Jordan Peterson as a philosopher, and Dr. Peterson seems to think that Mozart Symphony No. 41 in C Major expresses his philosophy (which he characterizes as “classical liberalism”).
- In the original “Star Wars” films, composer John Williams created leitmotifs to express the values of each major character: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, etc.
- The philosophy of Jewish Kabbalah was expressed in the 1920s in music by composed by Baal HaSulam (Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag)
So, in the great big, wide world of music, is there any music that you think seems to capture and communicate the spirit or soul of the life and/or philosophy of Ayn Rand?
Rand’s favorite musical composer was Sergei Rachmaninov.
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1 hour ago, RationalEgoist said:
Rand’s favorite musical composer was Sergei Rachmaninov.
Thanks for the info. I did not know that.
Hmmm. I’m listening to Rachmaninov now. Nice music. But do I hear or feel Ayn Rand’s life or philosophy in it? No, so far, I don’t. But that may just be me.
I sort of hear or feel something like Ayn Rand’s life or philosophy in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture , Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake , or in Rossini’s William Tell Overture.
My idea is that the music of Ayn Rand or Objectivism should express:
- The Infinite Power of Mind
- Strength
- Confidence
- Strong Self-Determination and Independence
- Aloofness from the Maddening Crowds and the Common Man
- Clarity
- Certainty
- Rationality
- Orderliness
- Romance
- Relentless Drive for Heights of Personal Excellence
- Integrity
- High Ideals
- Pride
- Elegance
- Judgment and Conviction
Well, if so, what music then?
Johann Strauss’ The Blue Danube Waltz , maybe?
“Excuse me, Miss Rand, may I have this dance?”
I think the heroic “romantic manifesto” music of John Williams in the “Star Wars” movies, the musical leitmotifs meant to express the values of the Jedi Knights (Luke, Obi-War, Yoda, etc.), could perhaps be the music of Ayn Rand and her philosophy.
How so? Why?
Because I think Ayn Rand is a Jedi Knight and logic is her lightsaber. She fights for the Light of Reason and Freedom against the Dark Side of the collectivist, passionate irrationalist, and totalitarian Sith.
55 minutes ago, The Laws of Biology said:
Thanks for the info. I did not know that.
Hmmm. I’m listening to Rachmaninov now. Nice music. But do I hear or feel Ayn Rand’s life or philosophy in it? No, so far, I don’t. But that may just be me.
I sort of hear or feel something like Ayn Rand’s life or philosophy in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture , Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake , or in Rossini’s William Tell Overture.
My idea is that the music of Ayn Rand or Objectivism should express:
- The Infinite Power of Mind
- Strength
- Confidence
- Strong Self-Determination and Independence
- Aloofness from the Maddening Crowds and the Common Man
- Clarity
- Certainty
- Rationality
- Orderliness
- Romance
- Relentless Drive for Heights of Personal Excellence
- Integrity
- High Ideals
- Pride
- Elegance
- Judgment and Conviction
Well, if so, what music then?
Johann Strauss’ The Blue Danube Waltz , maybe?
“Excuse me, Miss Rand, may I have this dance?”
https://newideal.aynrand.org/ayn-rands-musical-biography/
Perhaps this article would be of interest to you. I particularly enjoy “Amina” composed by Paul Lincke, which you can find on YouTube.
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One piece that I have heard called “Atlas Shrugged music” is the Donna Diana overture, which expresses purposeful motion.
3 hours ago, RationalEgoist said:
https://newideal.aynrand.org/ayn-rands-musical-biography/
Perhaps this article would be of interest to you. I particularly enjoy “Amina” composed by Paul Lincke, which you can find on YouTube.
That’s fantastic. Thank you.
Here is an inspirational example from Chopin performed brilliantly by Daniel Trifonov:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy5UHK4EeM8
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