6 - Adrian's Strenger Satz

Summary

Einen Systemherrn brauchten wir, einen Schulmeister des Objektiven und der Organisation, genial genug, das Wiederherstellende, ja das Archaische mit dem Revolutionären zu verbinden. (DF, 252)

THIS REMARK INTRODUCES Adrian's explanation of his strenger Satz. It is a reference to Beißel, who invented a new and simplified musical system for his congregation, since the traditional melodies are far too complicated. As in Wagner's Meistersinger, his music is guided by the accentuation of normal speech. The harmony is according to a set tabulation, and it is an open system that can be expanded to include everything. Thus the entire congregation could and did participate in both the creation and the performance of the new music. The result was surprisingly effective. Zeitblom thought the system naïve and silly. Adrian, however, admires Beißel for his independence of mind, sense of order, and lack of sentimentality, an objective attitude that Zeitblom considers a sign of unacceptable arrogance and makes him fear for Adrian's soul (DF, 88–96). It is with this essentially conservative and closed attitude that Zeitblom receives Adrian's explanation of his strenger Satz. The reader is not required to adopt the same attitude. The entire argument is expressed in musical terms.

Adrian says that freedom is another word for subjectivity, and it eventually becomes untenable in itself and needs the protection of objectivity. Freedom itself recognizes that it has to be subject to laws and rules. This does not mean that it is not still freedom (DF, 253).