Final answer:
Music is regarded as a potent form of theatrical expression that captures human experiences, emotions, and perceptions, transcending cultural barriers and illustrating shared human experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most influential principle in Gaston's perspective on the meaning of music in human lives is that music is a theatrical expression of human experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. This principle is exemplified in various cases, such as the early 1800s hymns of Choctaw tribes that artistically expressed their traumatic experiences during forced relocation. Similarly, Romantic music, like Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, is a powerful medium that conveyed the drama of human emotions. Whistler also saw music as a significant element in his art, treating his paintings as visual musical compositions. Furthermore, music's universality was demonstrated in studies like those by Thomas Fritz et al., where isolated tribes could understand emotions in unfamiliar Western music.
The discussion of music's role evokes the principle that it is an intimate part of our cultural and emotional expression, capable of transcending cultural boundaries and encapsulating deep human experiences across different societies.