On Tan Dun Organic Music Zen Aesthetics

In the western music system in the last century, the avant-garde musicians, which led by John Cage, denied the traditional form and composition techniques, adopt the new composition techniques in works, as well as the application of new material and new music, trying to make their music different. At the same time, the development of science, technology and social progress brought about global integration, which make the global communication increasingly close and frequent in literature, art, politics, economy and etc. Musicians both in east and west learn from each other.Zen aesthetic thought like “Self vacuum”, “Clear your heart”, “Buddha epiphany” has been concerned by the western musicians in the early 20 th century. In order to find a solution to reject the traditional music techniques and performance form, and make their music different, these musicians created music on the basis of the Zen aesthetics. John Cage is a representative figure of this trend, and his famous work <4 minutes and 33 seconds> is a well reflection of Zen “Self vacuum” esthetics thought.Tan Dun get to know John Cage, when he was study in United States in 1980 s, and heritage John Cage’s view of nature and creative concept “music is life, life is music”. Tan Dun created the “Organic Music system”, which combined with “Experimental music concept” established by John Cage, advanced Western composition technology, and traditional Chinese culture like Zen aesthetic thought, the thought in “Book of Changes” and etc., break the traditional music creation mode and creatively different from any established tradition of auditory art. This thesis will give a comprehensive presentation of Tan Dun’s Organic Music, study Zen Aesthetics in Tan Dun’s Organic Music, and analyze the internal relations between Tan Dun’s Organic Music and Zen Aesthetics. The prior research papers about Tan Dun’s organic music, only research its content and form, the formation and development, as well as its creative approach. The prior papers research the relation between Zen Aesthetics and music, is more concern in the relations between the Zen Aesthetics with traditional Chinese music culture, Taoism and Zen music culture. This article describes and analyzes the causes of Tan Dun organic music’s formation and development, and analyzes the Zen Aesthetics that reflect in his organic music creation and performance.