Gurdjieff and Music

Book excerpt: In Gurdjieff and Music Johanna Petsche examines the large and diverse body of piano music produced by Armenian-Greek spiritual teacher G. I. Gurdjieff (c.1866-1949) in collaboration with his devoted pupil Thomas de Hartmann (1885-1956). Petsche draws on a range of unpublished materials and data from original field research to critically situate and assess this music within its socio-cultural and unique religio-spiritual context. Focusing on the tremendous role that music played in the life and teaching of Gurdjieff, Petsche chronicles the unique relationship and collaboration between Gurdjieff and de Hartmann, analyses the styles and possible sources of their music, and explores Gurdjieff’s ultimate intentions for the music in light of his esoteric teaching.