Would you make a deal
with the devil?
trade your eternal soul for music mastery
for centuries many musicians have been said to have made the Faustian pact at the crossroads
Lucifer
The Archangel of Music
Many believe Lucifer, Samael, was in charge of musical instruments as the head of Gods Choir of Heavenly Angels - harps, pipes and timbrels.
Ezekiel 28:13
"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created."
Who has sold their soul?
Courtesy of David Castleston
Courtesy of David Castleston
Courtesy of David Castleston
Giuseppe Tartini
April 8, 1692 - February 26, 1770
Born in: Pirano in the Republic of Venice (Today Piran Slovania)
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Baroque violinist, pianist, and composer
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He helped to establish the modern day style of violin bowing and formulated principles of musical ornamentation and harmony
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He claimed the devil came to him in a dream and played for him. After waking, Tartini wrote the piece down. He later stated his sonata is very mediocre in comparison to what the devil played for him.
Courtesy of Britannica
Courtesy of the Nesuhi Ertegun Collection. American Treasures of the Library of Congress. Music Division
Courtesy of Britannica
Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe
October 20, 1890–July 10, 1941
Born in: New Orleans, Lousiana
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Known as Ferdinand ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton
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A pioneer of Ragtime
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In 1902, he claimed to have invented jazz
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was an important innovator in the transition from early jazz to orchestral jazz in New Orleans at the turn of the century​
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He stated that his grandmother, a practicing voodoo witch, sold his soul for musical talent. Many speculated that he knew that when she died he would soon follow. His grandmother died in 1941 and he passed two months later.​
Courstey of Britannica
Courtesy of David Castleton
Courstey of Britannica
Niccolò Paganini
October 27, 1782 – May 27, 1840
Nickname- "The Devil's violinist"
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Italian violinist and composer
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He inspired the Romantic mystique of the virtuoso and revolutionized violin technique
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Paganini's tale would be told three different ways:
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Many thought he made a pact with the devil to acquire magical powers- after he was able to create sound effects beyond the reach of any other violinist​
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Others thought the devil possessed him and coaxed the violin to produce his music
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Few had purer thoughts: Paganini was a showman and made a spectacle of himself. He would "lash" the violin with the bow. They considered him "demonic" in the gothic sense of being perverted and corrupt - in tradition of Marquis de Sade and Byron.
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Courtesy of the Paranomal Scholar
Courtesy of Genuis Lyrics
Courtesy of the Paranomal Scholar
Tommy Johnson
January 1896 - November 1, 1956
Born in: Terry, Mississippi
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Blues singer and guitar player
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Very talented at evoking emotional responses through music
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He was a part of the Delta Blues movement. Many called it the Devil's Blues as they thought either the artists or music was closely associated with the devil.
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Some believe he is the predecessor to the story that is often ascribed to Robert Johnson.
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His performances were said to be legendary. His showmanship helped to inspire many later rock n' roll artists. He would play his guitar behind his neck, between his legs, or he would play it in midair. His falsetto voice gave his songs an eerie tone and his wide range of tones helped fuel the rumors. His affirmation of the rumors helped fuel the fire.
Blues music is known as the devil's music because of its influences from African American spirituals and work songs. These genres heavily deal with themes like pain, suffering, and adversity. These themes clashed with conservative Christian values of the time. Blues' popularity in nightlife helped contribute to its perception.