Musical transcendence according to John Burke: overview and interview
The labyrinth, a millennial symbol still found on stone floors of cathedrals, has for composer John Burke become a kind of laboratory in his quest to discern the essence of classical music experience in the West. His research on transcendence led to an interest in the labyrinth via workshops he attended by Lauren Artress in San Francisco, and as described in her book, Walking the Path. Influenced by the works of the American mythologist Joseph Campbell, in particular The Hero’s Journey, he also explored this other notion of the inner journey. And continuing the thrust of 20th century musicians Stockhausen and Boulez to alter the classical concert with musicians and audience on different sides, John Burke used language replete with Eastern philosophy to describe a musical space that invites musicians and audience to embark on a very personal musical and spiritual journey.