A Study of the Relevance of the Generative Logic of Schenkerian Theory to Taoist Cosmogony

Abstract

From a cross-cultural comparative perspective, this paper explores the generative logic of Schenker’s theory of music analysis and Taoism’s theory of cosmogony. Schenker’s theory of “foreground-midground-background” extends layer by layer, echoing Taoism’s generative model of “the Tao gives birth to one, the Tao gives birth to two, the Tao gives birth to two, the Tao gives birth to three, and the Tao gives birth to all things”, which reffects the organic generative concept of “from simple to complex, from essence to phenomenon”. Both reffect the organic generation concept of “from simple to complex, from essence to phenomenon”. They are highly compatible with each other in terms of core control, extension mode and diversified generation, which not only expands the Chinese interpretation space of Schenker’s theory, but also provides a new path for the modern translation and interdisciplinary dialogue of Taoist thought.