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8/13/2019 Aesthetics in Music: An Introduction
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/aesthetics-in-music-an-introduction 1/8
What makes good music “good?” Aesthetics in music
8/13/2019 Aesthetics in Music: An Introduction
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What is Aesthetics?
The branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of
art, beauty, and taste, with the creation and
appreciation of beauty.
In music, aesthetics is the study of the experience of
hearing music, and the study of questions related to
its beauty and enjoyment.
8/13/2019 Aesthetics in Music: An Introduction
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8/13/2019 Aesthetics in Music: An Introduction
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A (Very) Brief History
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804):
Instrumental music is beautiful but
ultimately trivial
Does not engage understandingand lacks moral purpose
Music must be combined with
words, as in song and opera
18th Century
Aesthetics only include the visual arts; music is only important
as accompaniment to dancing
8/13/2019 Aesthetics in Music: An Introduction
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A (Very) Brief History 19th Century
Music could & should express ideas, images, emotions, or even whole
stories.
E.T.A. Hoffman: Music is fundamentally the art of instrumentalcomposition
Arthur Schopenhauer: Instrumental music is the greatest art; it can
represent the metaphysical organization of reality.
War of the Romantics (Formalists vs. Anti-formalists)
Formalists: Appreciation of music is found in formal design.
(Music is self-sufficient as a means of expression.)
Anti-formalists: Musical form is only a means to an end.
(Music depends on extra-musical ideas.)
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A (Very) Brief History 20th Century
The Formalists vs. anti-formalists debate continues.
Igor Stravinsky: the only relevant thing for the composer "is his
apprehension of the contour of the form, for the form is everything.
He can say nothing whatever about meanings.”
“Higher” vs. “Lower” Music
The distinction between "art music" and "popular music."
Theodor Adorno: popular culture industries produce a debasedmass of unsophisticated, sentimental products; popular culture
serves "false needs."
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A (Very) Brief History 20th Century, cont inued
Theodor Adorno (1903-1969): German
sociologist, philosopher and musicologist
Popular culture industries produce a
debased mass of unsophisticated,
sentimental products; popular culture
serves "false needs.”
The culture industry manipulates the
population. Popular culture is a reason
why people become passive; the easy
pleasures available through
consumption of popular culture made
people docile and content, no matter
how terrible their economic
circumstances.
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Your Turn! Good music vs. bad music: what makes good music
"good" and bad music "bad?"
Why is some music boring?
Instrumental music vs. vocal music:
Does instrumental music have the capacity to
express ideas or are words required?
Is popular music really "lower" music and art music
really "higher" music? Why or why not?