The philosopher Nietzsche revealed by his music
A lecture-concert recently explored Nietzsche's little-known musical work, in connection with his philosophy.
Beyond his writings which disrupted Western thought, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was also a passionate composer.
It is this little-known facet of the 19th-century philosopher that a lecture-concert, hosted by the pianist Florence Schaaff and the Nietzschean Philippe Granarolo, recently highlighted. The event offered an immersive dive into the author's musical world, in resonance with his fundamental concepts such as the eternal return or Amor Fati.
Between music and philosophy
For Florence Schaaff, this event is the culmination of a long personal and intellectual journey. Born in Le Revest-les-Eaux and introduced to the piano at the age of 8, she followed a classical training at the conservatoire de Toulon, before pursuing studies in musicology at the Université d’Aix-en-Provence and then at La Sorbonne.
Today a piano teacher and pedagogical coordinator, she has always nurtured a passion for philosophy. It is this double sensitivity that led her to explore Nietzsche's musical work, a rich corpus but one often left in the shadow of his philosophical writings.
Florence Schaaff shared her discovery of Nietzsche as a prolific composer, whose production spanned from age 9 to 38. While his finest pieces date from his youth, between 18 and 20 years old, his repertoire bears witness to a certain artistic ambition, ranging from oratorios to chamber music.
Raised in a musical environment, Nietzsche benefited very early on from a piano bought by his mother. However, this support was short-lived, as the latter then pushed him to embrace a career as a pastor, far from his artistic aspirations.
Thwarted passion
Florence Schaaff's research work was considerable. She had to gather the entirety of a scattered musical oeuvre and delve into the philosopher's biography to understand the reasons for this gradual abandonment of composition.
She thus highlighted how the harsh criticisms of musical figures such as Richard Wagner or Johannes Brahms deeply discouraged the young Nietzsche, convincing him to give up his primary passion.
During the lecture, the presence of Philippe Granarolo, a recognized specialist on Nietzsche, made it possible to provide precise philosophical insight into the compositions performed live by Florence Schaaff. This synergy offered the public a unique experience.
Next musical event
For those who wish to discover the philosopher's musical universe more fully, a concert is already scheduled. The quartet “Apollinien et Dionysiaque” will perform on April 24, 2027, at the Théâtre de l’Escale in La Garde.
For 1 hour and 45 minutes, the audience will be invited on a journey to the heart of the most beautiful musical pages composed by one of the most influential thinkers in history, offering a new perspective on his creative genius.
Photo DR.