132 Nietzscheonly be a "metaphysics as i£" This metaphysics is not valid in an absolute
sense. We use it as another vantage point during the brief moment on
the litde star in the cosmic night
Nietzsche described the emotions aroused by Wagner's music at
Siegfried's death in a larger context of the inevitability of death. Since
death is a universal experience, Nietzsche mused, it is all the more aston-
ishing that the individual gains access to this experience by means of
music: "in the tiniest atom of life," the individual "may encounter some-
thing holy that amply compensates for all the fighting and deprivation"
(1,453; WB § 4).
Something holy? We will be hearing more about that. For now,
Nietzsche finds it in music An animal that can make music is a meta-
physical animal. Anyone who knows how to listen propedy, however,
also hears it come to an end. True music is a swan song.