Lecture: Nietzsche’s Muses: An Examination of Nietzsche’s Philosophy as it Relates to Music and Dance

Language: German or English.

This lecture elaborates on Nietzsche‘s ideas of identity, freedom, and creativity and connects these ideas to the world of music. I examine Nietzsche‘s relationship to Richard Wagner and his music, Nietzsche‘s studies on rhythm, as well as his own ambitions as a composer. I also discuss Nietzsche’s relationship to improvisation: he was an excellent improviser himself. The lecture includes audio examples of Nietzsche’s own compositions, Wagner’s music, and improvised jazz music.  I gave this lecture at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, at Bird’s Eye in Basel, at the Muziekgebouw Aan ‘t Ij, and in the Nietzsche Documentation Center in Naumburg, Germany. I will be giving this lecture again at the Festival der Philosophie Hannover, on 27 May 2021.