Music as a Liberal Art: The Poetry of the Universe

This article explores the place of music in classical liberal arts curriculum, which consists trivium (the language) and quadrivium number). Music is part quadrivial disciplines studied as applied arithmetic. However, argued this article, it also a bridge to discipline rhetoric, trivium. The begins with brief review St. Augustine’s De Musica, first planned (but unrealized) series dialogs on value emerging Christian culture Antiquity. It proceeds discussion its relation contemporary American curriculum. Two case studies follow that address ontological reality time-bound medium, attempts mute service creating sense timelessness. Thus subsuming temporal into Divine–what Augustine called “a poem universe”. study Dante Alighieri’s Paradiso, journey through heavens each planet representing one seven preparatory Beatific Vision. second focuses J.S. Bach’s create timelessness Matthew Passion by use musical forms rhetorical devices tend abolish time. concludes suggestions how teachers can 20th 21st-century movements Western art pathways appreciate music’s pivotal role Catholic tradition.