Kathleen Schlesinger
Part III. The Planetary Harmonies
by Chrispian Villeneuve
A discount of 20% is available on this newly reprinted title until end of June 2026.
This is the third in the series of booklets which contain a mixture of extracts from the writings of Kathleen Schlesinger, together with references to Rudolf Steiner's work on music. Also included are a selection of contemporary accounts of events.
Kathleen Schlesinger was a musician and musical journalist who rediscovered the ancient Greek modes and harmonics. She related them to the planets, with her friend and collaborator Elsie Hamilton assisting her, especially in musical performance.
The important lecture on "The Planetary Harmonies" given by Kathleen Schlesinger during the Summer School at Penmaenmawr in 1923 is here published in English for the first time, together with relevant historical matter setting its content into the atmospheric context of that Summer School and the lecture-course given there by Rudolf Steiner. With illustrations throughout.
Review by Margaret Jonas for the Newsletter of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain:
These [three] A4 booklets present the work of Kathleen Schlesinger, a musician and musical journalist who rediscovered the ancient Greek modes and harmonics and related them to the planets, with her friend and collaborator Elsie Hamilton assisting her, especially in musical performance. Kathleen Schlesinger discussed her findings with Steiner and also sent him a replica of a Greek cithara as she believed in performing on ancient instruments where possible, and that the cithara was used for more serious occasions as opposed to the popular lyre. She lectured at the 1923 Penmaenmawr conference. The booklets contain a mixture of extracts from her writings, Steiner’s works on music and contemporary accounts of events, and are well illustrated.
Volume 3 is more technical and the significance is difficult to grasp for the non-expert. The historical details are rather a mixture but interesting. It is good to have her work made better known for those who can find it meaningful.
Originally published by Upper Esk Music.
Reprint now published by Wynstones Press.
44 pages.
29.7 x 21 cms, 11¾ x 8¼ inches.
Paperback.
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