A Canadian Cultural Question: Can Meaning in Music Extend Beyond Emotions?

Abstract This article argues that music can reflect and express the ideas that define particular cultures by considering the presence of concepts from Canadian philosophy in the nation’s music. It begins by examining how musical compositions can incorporate philosophical notions before surveying some themes in Canadian philosophy. The article then identifies these concepts from Canadian philosophy in the musical compositions of artists such as Léo Pol Morin, R. Murray Schafer, Udo Kasemets, Michael Snow, Glenn Gould, R. Bruce Elder (this article’s author), and David Jaeger.