Wohin soll ich mich wenden…

For centuries, music has been closely linked to religion, spirituality, and the search for transcendence. But what role does the spiritual play today—at a time when artificial intelligence, digitalization, and constant connectivity are increasingly shaping our view of the world? Thomas Grötz addresses precisely this question in his essay , *Wohin soll ich mich wenden…*, which is as insightful as it is provocative.

Drawing on composers such as Alexander Scriabin, John Cage, Arvo Pärt, Sofia Gubaidulina, Giacinto Scelsi, Walter Zimmermann, and many others, Grötz traces how the relationship between contemporary music and spirituality has evolved in the 20th and 21st centuries. Spanning Zen Buddhism, Christian mysticism, Orthodox liturgy, and secular avant-garde thought, a fascinating panorama emerges that interconnects music history, the history of religion, and the philosophy of culture.

But this is not merely a historical analysis. Grötz diagnoses a present in which spirituality has often become an aesthetic facade and cultural experience is increasingly shaped by digital logics. In a dialectical movement of affirmation, rejection, and reconciliation, he asks whether art can regain its transformative power only by once again confronting the existential questions of meaning, truth, and transcendence.

Where Should I Turn… is a thoughtful, thought-provoking, and highly timely book for anyone interested in contemporary music, the aesthetics of music, the philosophy of culture, religion, and the future of our culture—and for readers who are convinced that art can be more than mere entertainment.

The book will be released on October 16 as part of our new essay series, SYNKOPEN, and is now available for preorder!