Russian Philosophy of Music: An Unknown Phenomenon

The article explores the distinctive nature of Russian philosophical thought on music. Spanning a rich history from the 15^th century to the present, the author examines how Russian philosophers and thinkers have consistently viewed music as a means of human salvation. The article begins with Nil Sorsky’s early ideas about “prayer singing” and proceeds to analyze the musical philosophies of thinkers such as Grigory Skovoroda, Vladimir Odoevsky, Pavel Florensky, Alexey Losev, Nikolai Lossky, Ivan Lapshin, and Evgeny Trubetskoy. The author also proposes its own model of the philosophy of music. The article investigates how Russian philosophers linked the understanding of music with the Orthodox religious tradition, particularly hesychasm. It emphasizes the tendency in Russian philosophy to consider music not just as an aesthetic phenomenon, but as a powerful means of transforming a person, anticipating their encounter with God. Unique concepts developed within this tradition are examined, such as Skovoroda’s idea of Symphony as a manifestation of cosmic harmony, and Odoevsky’s theory of living and deadening principles in music. The author’s proposed model, termed “New Synergetic Philosophy of Music,” generalizes the concepts of the Russian philosophy of music. By presenting the ideas of Russian philosophers concerning music, the article contributes to a more thorough understanding of the foundations of the Russian mentality, which is particularly necessary in our time.

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