Philosophical reflection on the enticement and elusiveness of music, paying special attention to Richard Wagner.

The Endowment of Music is the final offering, published posthumously, of the illustrious American philosopher John Sallis. The book is a paean to the endowment of music--in the double sense: that which endows music and that which music endows. Sallis brings to this study a cultivated musical ear and a profound philosophical sensitivity. The result is a reflection far surpassing both mere musicology and prosaic philosophy. The first part of the book treats musical presence, which proves to be a ghostly, elusive presence held in play only by musical imagination. The second part is devoted to the musical dramas of Richard Wagner, especially the Ring cycle, where, under Sallis's baton, music becomes the language of the heart. The book is a must read for the many followers of Sallis's remarkable writings and for anyone seeking deeper insight into the mystery and consolation of music.