The art of movement called eurythmy was begun about eighty years ago on the basis of Rudolf Steiner's knowledge of the spiritual beings and meanings behind various human movements, as well as the inner spiritual qualities of human beings when they move. Eurythmy performance is choreographed according to drawn "forms" that reflect the inner nature of spoken language (speech eurythmy) or a piece of performed music (tone eurythmy), the subject of this book.


Steiner produced some 1500 forms for speech and tone eurythmy performances in Dornach and other places. Many of the forms for tone eurythmy came about as spontaneous responses to requests from eurythmists for forms--a spontaneity that is readily apparent in the sketches themselves. Some forms were drawn at rehearsals as Steiner listened to the music. Others he sketched in the evening after having heard the music once, having them ready for rehearsal the next day. During the time he was confined to bed with his final illness, Steiner drew new forms by merely looking at the sheet music.


This volume contains facsimiles of the Rudolf Steiner's original drawings and, in many cases, instructions for their execution. Included are forms for compositions by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Franck, Grieg, Handel, Lewerenz, Liszt, Mozart, Reger, Schubert, Schumann, Scriabin, van Stuten, Tartini, and many more. This is a must for eurythmists and those who wish a better understanding of eurythmy forms.


This book is intended for eurythmy students, performers, and teachers, as well as anyone who would like to study and better understand eurythmy movements in performance.