Hi,

recently, I was reading Das Glasperlenspiel by H. Hesse. A worderful book.

I was mostly impressed by the discussion on the rediscovery of the
practice of "early" music that I found through the whole text, in particular in the introduction. I found it interesting, mostly because in the same period when the book was written, the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, a music school devoted to the
study and practice of early music, was founded in Basel by Paul Sacher (1933).

As far as I know, many of today's world experts (and performers) of early music
studied in this school. One may even say, to some extent, that the "early music mouvement" was born (or cristallized) around that period.

I was wondering if there is any connection.

Thanks.

Dear Alex,

Although I'm not completely positive, I don't think there is any direct connection between the school in Basel (or Paul Sacher) and TGBG. I do believe that classical music within Western Europe had reached an interesting and challenging period of development and preservation during Hesse's lifetime. I know that he was assisted by a younger male relative (perhaps a nephew or son, I can't remember exactly) in his references to musical terminology and form and was reacting to the Post-Romantic and Modernist movements, all directly affected by the historical progression of Western tonality. I think that Hesse's influences for Castalia and the attachment to early practice performances (what he seems to find authentic) is the result of his entire life experience with music and the educational institution.