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The Greek philosopher Pythagoras theorized that musical harmony should relate perfectly with the harmony of the heavens, a celestial music created by the movements of the heavenly bodies.  Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of scholars and scientists, no such perfect relationship has been achieved.  The Pythagorean scale is derived by using frequency ratios to define musical intervals, and for centuries, astronomers tried to compare these ratios with patterns in the heavens, to discover the music of the spheres.  (See Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy by Robert Jourdain for a full description.)

There is a lovely consonance between Pythagoras' attempts to relate science and art, specifically music, that suits the genre of science fiction.  Music, of course, is both science and art; and musicians, like science fiction writers, employ both disciplines.  Both require study and practice, and both can be called "disciplines", in the classical sense.

The arts of writing and of music intersect in other ways from that Pythagoras had in mind.  Form is essential to the shape of a novel, and form also helps to define musical works.  Symphonic form, song form, sonata-allegro form--all are external structures or frameworks for interior musical content.  Novels and short stories, similarly, have a shape, or form, that organizes the material they contain.  Other aspects of music, such as theme and variation, inform literature as well.  The building and release of tension, in particular, suits the art of fiction.  Analogies can be found in almost any detail:  overtures imitate prologues, and codas can be considered epilogues.

My favorite form, and the most complex of all, is opera.  For the study of character development, scene setting, and the creation of dramatic tension, there's nothing like it.  Of course, many operas, like Bizet's Carmen, began as literature (Carmen is based on a short novel of the same title by Prosper Merimee.)  The stories grow in depth and significance and intent when elaborated upon by music, dance, sets, costumes, and voices.

For readers who may be new to classical music, may I make a few suggestions?  Begin with anything by Mozart.  Do by all means try to see a performance of Carmen.  Buy a good recording of Handel's Messiah for Christmas (or for Easter--the oratorio deals with both.)  I hope these sturdy classics will draw you in.