The Improvisation of Musical Dialogue: A Phenomenology of Music / Edition 1

by Bruce Ellis Benson

Overview

Whereas most books on the philosophy of music focus on the creation and reproduction of music, Bruce Benson's concern is the phenomenology of music making as an activity. He offers a radical thesis that improvization is of primary importance at the moment of music making. The book brings together a wide range of musical examples from classical music, jazz, early music and other genres. Incorporating analytic and continental philosophy, musicology and performance-practice issues, it is a provocative study for philosophers of art and musicologists. It also appeals to general readers; especially those who perform.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521009324
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/27/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.47(w) x 8.54(h) x 0.55(d)

Table of Contents

1. Between composition and performance; 2. Composing: from Ursprung to Fassung letzter Hand; 3. Performing: the improvisation of preservation; 4. The ergon within energeia; 5. The ethics of musical dialogue.

Editorial Reviews

'… a timely and I believe much-needed reorientation of attention … it will be found engaging reading by philosophers, musicians, and conceptually adventurous listeners.' Gary Hagsberg, Bard College

From the Publisher