To view prices and purchase online, please login or create an account now.



The Music Of The Spheres: Music, Science and the Natural Order of the Universe

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Music Of The Spheres: Music, Science and the Natural Order of the Universe
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Jamie James
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:288
Dimensions(mm): Height 198,Width 130
Category/GenreTheory of music and musicology
ISBN/Barcode 9780349105420
ClassificationsDewey:780
Audience
General

Publishing Details

Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Imprint Abacus
Publication Date 16 February 1995
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

From the 5th century BC, when Pythagoras first composed his laws of Western music and science, until the flowering of Romanticism over 2000 years later, scientists and philosophers perceived the cosmos musically, as an ordered mechanism whose smooth operation created a celestial harmony - the music of the spheres. The separation of science and music began with the scientific revolution during the Renaissance, and reached a peak with Romanticism, which celebrated what was human, individual and local. 20th-century science and music, argues Jamie James in this book, have rejected the Romantic ideal and placed the ultimate focus outside the reach of human reason once again. The book provides a survey of the history of science and music, a reassessment of Romanticism and the modernist reaction to it, and a radical intellectual journey.

Author Biography

Jamie James was born in Houston Texas and is now the New York Correspondant for The Times and frequently contributes to the New York Times. He is a founding member of Discover and a contributing editor of Archeology.

Reviews

'An unequivocal affirmation that music is no mere entertainment, but is vitally significant: an important adjunct in healing; an essential part of education.' SUNDAY TIMES 'A learned, sophisticated book, full of surprises.' FINANCIAL TIMES 'James probes deeply into an undervalued question and left me wondering at the extent to which our whole view of reality- and what may lie beyond it- is being revolutionised.' NEW SCIENTIST 'Exuberant and witty.' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW