The Logic of Music

The harmonic regulation of tonal relations as “musical logic,” following J. N. Forkel. The relationship between musical logic and language (J. N. Forkel, E. Hanslick; C. Dahlhaus). Language as the house of being (M. Heidegger): musical language as a way of manifesting the being of music (its idea). The thematic logic of music (F. Schlegel). “Forms set in motion by sounding” as the sole content of music (E. Hanslick): the idea, which appears in the musical material, Hanslick called “form.” The exaltation of articulated sound to the expression of thought makes up the form of language (W. von Humboldt). Music is first and last in relation to language: interjection versus lyricism (S. Kierkegaard). Absolute music as language above language (T. W. Adorno). The inner logic of music (L. B. Meyer; S. Langer; J. Shepherd). Music brings an encounter with a logic of sense other than that of reason (G. Steiner).