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The Ikhwan Al-Safa – The Epistle on Music of the Ikhwan Al-Safa [translated by Amnon Shiloah 10th century AD

Among melodies and rhythms there are also some that possess the virtue of appeasing the fever of wrath, of dissipating hatred, of leading to reconciliation and of making friendship and love gain the upper hand.

It is said on this matter that two men who had wrought violence on each other and cherished for each other an ancient hatred and rancour, met at a banquet. When they had become intoxicated with drink, their rancour awoke, the fire of anger flamed up and each prepared to kill his adversary.

The musician, having sensed their intention and being a master of his art, modified the tuning of the strings and played the melody that softens the heart and brings appeasement; he let them hear it and pursued his performance until he had warded off their access of anger. Then they rose, embraced and were reconciled.