The Imaginary Museum of Musical Works: An Essay in the Philosophy of Music - Hardcover

Goehr, Lydia

4.14

72 ratings by Goodreads

9780198235415: The Imaginary Museum of Musical Works: An Essay in the Philosophy of Music

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198235410 ISBN 13: 9780198235415

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1994

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What is the difference between a performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and the symphony itself? What does it mean for musicians to be faithful to the works they perform? To answer this question, Goehr combines philosophical and historical methods of enquiry. She describes how the concept of a musical work emerged as late as 1800, and how it subsequently defined the norms, expectations, and behavior characteristic of classical musical practice. Out of the historical thesis, Goehr draws philosophical conclusions about the normative functions of concepts and ideals. She also addresses current debates amongst conductors, early-music performers, and avant-gardists.

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About the Author:

Lydia Goehr is at Wesleyan University, Connecticut.

Review:

"Goehr's position and discussion are sober, carefully reasoned, clearly set out, and remarkably persuasive."--Choice

"A novel and definitive study of a concept of major importance in both the history of music and the philosophy of music."--Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism

"A splendid historical investigation."--James Grier, Yale University

"'This is a brilliant and fascinating book... a book to be read by anyone interested in music and concerned for the health of our culture."--Music and Letters

"One of the most exciting books on music to appear for a long time... exceptional, clearly the product of a fresh, imaginative, lucid mind... the style is elegant and the argument neatly and persuasively constructed. the book is eminently readable and at the same time exhilarating for the way in which it stimulates the mind... this book cannot fail to be essential reading for a long time to come... with this volume we have a feast par excellence!"--Times Higher Educational Supplement

"Goehr brings the conceptual arsenal of her field productively to bear upon the subject."--Common Knowledge

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