Monday, March 07, 2005
Meaning and Context
Both Judith and Galen bring up an interesting point: context.
A spirited discussion the other night with another composer, a conductor, and a theorist/librettist, along with recent posts, indicates deep concerns with this issue.
Music has an affekt, whether intended or not. This can change radically, depending on the place, time, perspective, or background of an audience. Ensembles such as Kronos, eighth blackbird, and my own "band" are experimenting with the usual classical protocol (enter, bow, play, applause, bow, exit). This might include staging, lighting, drama, sound immersion that all take the place, the space, and the audience into account. Perhaps this is to gain greater control and impact over the final "product."
Delivery becomes as important as the music product to produce not just sound from us to them, but a memorable experience for all concerned. Actors and orators know that the rhetoric and delivery is as important at the content, and can change the meaning of words drastically, so why not in art and music as well?
So perhaps the meaning is in the context and the cultural baggage we bring to a piece. Contextual thoughts anyone?
posted by Cary Boyce
12:23 PM
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