Contemplating Music: Challenges to Musicology

Contemplating Music examines the state of musicology as an academic discipline in the early 1980s. The book presents a critical assessment of how music scholars approach their work and argues for changes in methodology and focus. Kerman analyzes several branches of music study, including historical musicology, music theory, ethnomusicology, and music criticism. He explores the relationships between these subfields while questioning their traditional boundaries and assumptions. The text moves through detailed discussions of specific musicological debates and controversies, using concrete examples from both classical and contemporary music. Kerman draws on his extensive experience as both scholar and critic to evaluate research practices and scholarly discourse in the field. This work stands as a key text in the development of "new musicology," advocating for more interpretive approaches and broader cultural perspectives in music scholarship. The book's arguments about the nature of musical understanding continue to influence discussions about how music should be studied and written about.

Readers consistently note Kerman's clear writing style and his critique of formalist analysis in musicology. Music scholars and students comment that the book clarifies complex concepts and provides an engaging overview of musicology's development through the 1980s. Likes: - Addresses controversial topics head-on - Connects musicology to other disciplines - Thorough examination of music theory's limitations Dislikes: - Dense academic language in some sections - Focus primarily on Western classical music - Some arguments seen as dated by current standards - Limited discussion of ethnomusicology Review Metrics: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) JSTOR: Multiple positive academic reviews Notable reader comment: "Kerman skewers sacred cows but backs it up with reasoned arguments. His writing can be sharp but never mean-spirited." - Goodreads reviewer Academics frequently cite the chapter on music analysis in course syllabi and dissertations.

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🎵 "Contemplating Music" sparked significant debate in musicological circles when published in 1985, challenging the field's traditional focus on positivistic analysis and historical research 📚 Kerman coined the term "criticism" as distinct from analysis in musicology, advocating for a more interdisciplinary approach that incorporated cultural context and aesthetic judgment 🎓 The book was originally published in the UK under the title "Musicology," but was changed for the US market to better reflect its questioning and philosophical nature 🌟 Joseph Kerman served as a professor at UC Berkeley for over 40 years and was one of the most influential music critics of the 20th century, writing for The Hudson Review for over 50 years 📖 The text helped establish the "New Musicology" movement, which emphasizes cultural studies, feminism, and critical theory in music scholarship—approaches that were revolutionary at the time