Creator: Thomas Mann
Work Type: Novel
Date: 1947
Description:
Doctor Faustus is a novel by Thomas Mann that reimagines the Faust legend within the context of early 20th-century Germany. The story follows Adrian Leverkühn, a composer who makes a pact with the devil to gain artistic genius at the cost of his soul. The novel intricately weaves Leverkühn’s personal tragedy with the political and cultural decline of Germany leading up to World War II.
Leverkühn’s descent into madness and his eventual downfall are paralleled with the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. The novel explores deep philosophical themes, the nature of genius and creativity, and the moral and ethical implications of pursuing greatness at any cost. Mann also incorporates elements from the lives of real composers like Friedrich Nietzsche, whose life and works partially inspire Leverkühn’s character. The novel concludes with Leverkühn’s ultimate demise, mirroring the tragic end of Germany’s ambitions during the war
Source: Wikipedia
Relationship to Sicilianos's Work:
Sicilianos’s Daemon Op. 50 was inspired by a particular chapter in Mann’s novel where Leverkühn imagines a conversation with a daemon. In this dialogue, the daemon (in the Homeric sense, meaning a god) apportions happiness or misery, material or spiritual advantage, and creative success or failure. Mann narrows this concept to the realm of artistic endeavour, particularly focusing on the struggles of composing modern music. Sicilianos’s work translates these literary and philosophical ideas into a musical expression, addressing both specific issues of musical expression and the broader role of contemporary music as an art form.
See: Sicilianos Archive Files #4 for Daemon.
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Work Page |
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1 |
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YSC93 |
Daemon |
Symphonic Fantasy |
50 |
3333-4231, Harp, Celesta, Timpani, Percussion (Glockenspiel with Mallets, Xylophone, Cymbals, Large Tam-Tam, Triangle, Bass Drum), Strings (16, 16, 12, 12, 8) |