"Breaking the power of illness with melodies and music ...?" Music and medicine in antiquity

Contributors

Program

We cordially invite you to the sixth evening of the event series "musik + wissen" of the Freiburg Research and Teaching Center for Music(FZM). Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Leven from the Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, will speak on the topic "Breaking the power of illness with melodies and music ...?" Music and medicine in antiquity:

The "art of music" (Greek mousike techne) of antiquity included instrumental music, song, dance and poetry. In analogy to the processes in the body, the theory of harmony, based on a numerical order, provided a model for music; in education, in analogy to physical training through gymnastics, it was of particular importance for the development of the soul, as set out in Plato's and Aristotle's theories of the state. In addition to its analogous function, music also had a practical side for ancient medicine; there were magical incantations for the treatment of wounds and illnesses. Songs played a role in the operation of the sanctuaries of Asclepius. In natural hippocratic-galenic medicine, music as a therapeutic agent to influence the body via the soul was controversial and remained marginalized overall.

The return to antiquity is enlivened by the music played by flutist Alessandra Riudalbas and percussionist David Auli Morales (both from the College of Music Freiburg) in front of ancient representations of the archaeological collection. Pieces from antiquity will be interwoven with contemporary arrangements on flutes, the aulos, frame drums and other percussion instruments.

In keeping with the theme of the event, "musik + wissen" will take place for the first time in the Archaeological Collection of the University campus Freiburg. It is located in the so-called Herder building, which can be accessed via Habsburgerstr. 114/116 (Tennenbacher Straße streetcar stop). The event is open to the public and admission is free.

Afterwards there will be an opportunity for a toast and a personal exchange. We look forward to seeing you there!