From: hmgs@access.digex.net (Hannah M.G. Shapero)
Newsgroups: alt.magick,alt.discordia,alt.illuminati,alt.slack
Subject: Re: Classical composers using magick
Date: 6 Oct 1994 01:18:42 -0400

>   I don't have access to the book anymore, but I think it was in
> _Three-Fisted_Tales_of_"Bob"_ where Robert Anton Wilson said a few
> classical composers were involved in some form of magick or
> Freemasonry and their compositions were geometrical sound patterns
> that effect brain waves and such.  I speculate that some of the
> patterns might have been designed to create an internal shell when
> used right. Does anyone know the names of the composers, their
> magick traditions or Freemasonic affilitations?  Info about specific
> comositions and their magickal attributes would also be greatly
> appreaciated.

Usually, I don't trust anything Robert Anton Wilson says or writes, but 
this time, he's right. There were quite a lot of composers who had 
magickal or Masonic backgrounds, especially in the period 1870-1920. 

The most important of magickal composers was the Russian Alexandr
Scriabin (1872-1915) who was steeped in the Theosophical, mystical,
and Symbolist currents of late 19th century Russia and Europe. He
wrote many pieces which were specifically designed to evoke magickal
and altered states of consciousness. His POEM OF ECSTASY (tone-poem)
was designed to be played with a light-show and fragrances in the air
to provide a multi-sensory environment much like a modern "rave." His
great unfinished work MYSTERIUM was also supposed to be performed with
lights and fragrances.  Some of his magickal works include three
symphonies, tone poems, and mindbending piano music. He based much of
his music on what he called "mystical" chords each one designed to
alter consciousness.

Other composers who were influenced by Theosophical, esoteric, and 
magickal ideas were:
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) the famous Impressionist composer of 
"Afternoon of a Faun" was influenced by Theosophy and may have been a 
member of the Theosophical Society
Erik Satie (1866-1925) influenced by his studies of Gnosticism, he 
produced piano music called "Gnossiennes". Best known for the soothing 
piano piece "Gymnopedie"
"Peter Warlock" not his real name was an Englishman who was actually in 
Aleister Crowley's circle. His music isn't specifically magickal but his 
life was very much involved as his pseudonym indicates. Best-known work 
is "Capriole Suite"

In modern times:

John Cage (1912-1988?) the often outrageous avant-garde composer 
experimented with numerology and Gematria (letters-into-numbers) and 
composed some pieces using the I Ching
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was a devout Roman Catholic and would never 
consider any esoteric or magical element in his music. Yet his work is 
designed through repetition, contrasts of loud and soft, Oriental rhythms 
and birdsong, to alter the consciousness of the listeners and bring about 
religious or mystical experiences.

There you go - I'm sure there's more.