Ancient Views on Music and Religion

This volume is a compilation of original philosophic views on the relationship of music and religion as early history progressed towards more modern times, beginning with the strong association of music with religion. The early Christian Church rejected most of these early views but found it difficult to fashion a new dogma which accounted for the powers of music. By the later Middle Ages public demand and the rediscovery of the books of the ancient philosophers caused the Church to reform its views. The public wisdom and the true nature of music found a perfect marriage in the writings of Luther and in the rapid expansion of performance in the following years of the Baroque Period.