The Origin and Development of Eurythmy 1923–1925

GA 277d — 26 December 1923, Dornach

Eurythmy Performance

At Christmas 1923, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society in a completely new way, with around 800 people in attendance. Central to this was the “laying of the foundation stone” with the foundation stone verse, for which Rudolf Steiner also provided eurythmic forms, which were performed for the first time at Easter 1924 and Christmas 1924 (“Urweihnacht”). During the conference, there were four eurythmy performances, which, as always, Rudolf Steiner introduced with speeches in which he once again explained the various aspects of eurythmy in a fundamental and comprehensive way to the anthroposophists present. Students from the Stuttgart Eurythmy School were also present and helped to organize some of the performances.

I am very sorry that I will not be able to organize the Christmas performances as I would have done if I had been in Dornach throughout December. However, as there is so much material available, I hope that something decent will still come of it. I am counting on “Olaf Åsteson” (Kisseleff) and “Die Jüngerin” (The Disciple) – most of the newly developed material and some repetitions. This time, I would like Savitch to do “Die Sonne schaue” (The Sun Looks) and her Solovjoff; “Epiphanie” by Heredia and the other French sonnet (desert) could also be repeated; the Christmas sayings... Could we have a new Steffen? “Das heilige Nachtmahl” (The Holy Supper), page 101. Savitch would probably have to play the central figure; Kisseleff perhaps the angel, the three animals: De Jaager, Baravalle, Spiller; the scorpion – Simons. It would be very nice if we still had such a strong Steffen. Has Savitch received a new eurythmy number? She asked for it so much. Hopefully everything will work out; I may also be leaving here on Saturday.

Please give this letter to Mrs. Kisseleff with warm regards and make the necessary preparations. Hollenbach will probably also have some Christmas performances to present.

—From a letter from Marie Steiner to Rudolf Steiner, Berlin, December 10, 1923

There is eurythmy. As I said yesterday at the beginning of the eurythmy performance, eurythmy is truly drawn from the deepest foundations of the anthroposophical being and cultivated. And we must be aware that with eurythmy, however imperfect it may still be today, something is being brought into the world that is completely original, primary, and cannot in any way be compared with anything else that appears similar in the world today. We must muster this enthusiasm for our cause, so that we exclude external, superficial comparisons. I know how such a statement can be misunderstood, but I am nevertheless expressing it here among you, my dear friends, because it expresses one of the basic conditions for the flourishing of the anthroposophical movement in the Anthroposophical Society. Similarly, I have had to sweat blood lately, so to speak — symbolically, of course — over all kinds of discussions about the form of recitation and declamation developed in our society by Dr. Steiner. Just like eurythmy, the fundamental nerve of this declamation and recitation is one that has been drawn from and cultivated on an anthroposophical basis, and one must attune oneself to this fundamental nerve. One must recognize this and not believe that if one introduces here and there some fragment of what is good or even better in other similar formations, something better will come of it. We must be aware of this original, this primary element in all our fields. —From the members' lecture in Dornach, December 24, 1923

Prelude in E-flat minor by J.S. Bach
“Ich weilte unter abgeschiednen Seelen” (I dwelt among secluded souls) by Albert Steffen
“Seh ich über diese Dächer” (I see over these roofs) by Albert Steffen
“Du hebst die Hände” (You raise your hands) by Albert Steffen
Larghetto from a sonata by G. F. Handel
“Die Jüngerin” (The Disciple) by Albert Steffen
Tiaoait with music by Leopold van der Pals
“Friede auf Erden” (Peace on Earth) by C. F. Meyer
“Repos en Egypte” by Albert Samain
“Melodie francaise”
“Marienlied” by Novalis
‘Epiphanie’ by Jose-Maria de Heredia
“Le chevrier” by Jose-Maria de Heredia
Allegro by G. F. Handel
“Les bergers” by Jose-Maria de Heredia
“Waldesrauschen” by Franz Liszt

Address on eurythmy