Quotation and Cultural Meaning in Twentieth-Century Music (New Perspectives in Music History and Criticism, Series Number 12) - Hardcover

Metzer, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521825091 ISBN 13: 9780521825092

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2003

Synopsis

Musicians frequently incorporated portions of works by other musicians into their own compositions and performances throughout the twentieth century. This book examines how this practice of "quotation" affected cultural dialogues regarding race, childhood, madness and the mass media. When a musician borrows from a piece, he or she draws upon not only a melody but also the cultural associations of the original piece. By working with and altering a melody, a musician also transforms those associations.

About this title

Book Description:

Throughout the twentieth century, musicians frequently incorporated bits of works by other musicians into their own compositions and performances. When a musician borrows from a piece, he or she draws upon not only a melody but also the cultural associations of the original piece. By working with and altering a melody, a musician also transforms those associations. This book explores that vibrant practice, examining how musicians used quotation to participate in the cultural dialogues sustained around such areas as race, childhood, madness, and the mass media.

About the Author:

David Metzer is Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. He has published a wide range of articles on twentieth-century music.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0521825091
• ISBN 13: 9780521825092
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240