Rudolf Steiner and the development of Anthroposophical Music Therapy

This chapter provides an overview of the basic tenets of anthroposophical music therapy (AnMt) by presenting its historical development and current scope of practice. The AnMt approach has its foundations in anthroposophy, a doctrine developed by Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). AnMt developed as a therapy practice incurative educationwhich is an interdisciplinary anthroposophical approach to remedial work with people with intellectual disabilities (König 1966). AnMt’s therapeutic processes, including referral, diagnosis, and treatment, will be described here along with reference to the early and current training programmes. The specific musical elements and instruments used in AnMt are highlighted to provide information about some of the unique aspects of this approach.