Music Theory and Natural Order from the Renaissance to the Early Twentieth Century - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521771919 ISBN 13: 9780521771917

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2000

Synopsis

Music theory of almost all ages has relied on nature in its attempts to explain music. The understanding of what 'nature' is, however, is subject to cultural and historical differences. In exploring ways in which music theory has represented and employed natural order since the scientific revolution, this volume asks some fundamental questions not only about nature in music theory, but also the nature of music theory. In an array of different approaches, ranging from physical acoustics to theology and Lacanian psychoanalysis, these essays examine how the multifarious conceptions of nature, located variously between scientific reason and divine power, are brought to bear on music theory. They probe the changing representations and functions of nature in the service of music theory and highlight the ever-changing configurations of nature and music, as mediated by the music-theoretical discourse.

About this title

Review

"...the variety and high-quality of the nine articles in this volume are impressive indeed...The excellent essays which form this volume, although focused specifically on music and music theory, are case studies of the universal tendency to substantiate ideology by means of appeals to "nature" and "natural order" and, as such, are certainly of general interest." Renaissance Quarterly

Book Description

In exploring ways in which music theory has represented and employed natural order since the scientific revolution, this volume asks some fundamental questions not only about nature in music theory, but also the nature of music theory.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521771919
• ISBN 13: 9780521771917
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 255
• Editor: Clark Suzannah, Rehding Alexander