Christological and triadological foundations of the musical idea in the theological aesthetics of Hans Urs von Balthazar

Authors

  • Alexander A. Zakhryapin Historical Park “Russia — my History”, 13, ul. Sovnarkomovskaya, Nizhny Novgorod, 603086, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3762-8087
  • Daniil V. Semikopov Historical Park “Russia — my History”, 13, ul. Sovnarkomovskaya, Nizhny Novgorod, 603086, Russian Federation; Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University named after Kozma Minin, 1, ul. Ulianova, Nizhny Novgorod, 603000, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8420-9650

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu28.2024.406

Abstract

The article is devoted to the consideration of the Christological and triadological foundations of the musical idea in the theological aesthetics of Hans Urs von Balthazar. The Christological criterion is reduced to the principle of “analogia eventus pulchri et Christi” (“analogy of the event of beauty and the event of Christ”). Music is designed to serve as a finger pointing to Christ and to bear witness to Him as God and Savior of the world. Then a meeting with music will be a meeting with God. In the three-part structure of music (rhythm, melody, harmony) H. U. von Balthazar sees a manifestation of the highest trinitarian beauty, based on the principle of inter-apostolic communion of the Most Holy Trinity. Nevertheless, music, being a “translator of information of the Divine”, only opens the veil of the trinitarian mystery, without communicating in its entirety the whole idea of God. Rhythm as the ontological basis of the universe and the primary human experience of the Divine principle symbolizes God the Father in H. U. von Balthazar. Melody as the noblest element of music, emerging from formless darkness, and taking shape in the light of day — the Logos and the mystery of God Incarnation. Harmony as a structure-forming function, the basis of music, giving it its logical conclusion reveals the mystery of the Holy Spirit, Who, like a great orchestra conductor, leads the life of the Church.

Keywords:

Hans Urs von Balthazar, theostetics, music, harmony, melody, rhythm, transcendentally, Christ, the Most Holy Trinity

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References


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Published

2024-12-28

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Research

License

Articles of "Issues of Theology" are open access distributed under the terms of the License Agreement with Saint Petersburg State University, which permits to the authors unrestricted distribution and self-archiving free of charge.