DeNora begins by explaining Adorno's viewpoint that the organization of a certain musical piece has the ability to "foster critical consciousness" due to the fact that the piece does not adhere to musical cliche's, but instead engages the listener and demands active listening and participation. The organization of the music, by the nature of being progressive, reflects the society or social group that makes the music itself. DeNora then present a couple criticisms to Adorno's approach. The one that stands out is the question of how the music actually reflects the society and the process that is necessary for the music to do so. While reading this, I asked myself, is this just an inherent characteristic of making music? Does the artist unconsciously reflect his or her personal views of society and societal structures when making music? I would not go so far as to assume that every musical piece ever created has a structural affinity with a social formation, but I do believe that there are homologies present between the structures of musical pieces and society.
DeNora then addresses the art worlds perspective and presents a few key issues with that approach. Following that, she presents an interesting situation that displays "music's power to 'compose' situations." DeNora compares how long it seemed to him to wait for the modem to connect initially, tapping the 'enter' key impatiently until the dial-up connected. When she started tapping the enter key to Habanera's opening rhythm in Georges Bizet's opera, Carmen, she experienced two ways in which "music can get into action." First, her bodily movement was affected by the music: the physical tapping of the finger was changed. Second, her temporal sense of the situation was affected. What initially seemed like an infinitely long wait was now too short. My question to you: can you think of any examples in which music has produced a similar effect on you? Have you experienced any instances in which music affected a situation you were in? Personally speaking, I find myself driving an average of 10mph faster than I normally do when I listen to metal. This may be due to the fast rhythm and tempo, or my engagement with the lyrics and melody. One way or another, I do not consciously notice the fact that I am driving faster until I realize a few minutes later that everyone around me is going very slow. The music has produced a physical effect on me.
DeNora then presents several more examples, all of which present situations in which "music is in dynamic relation with social life."
This is an interesting piece because I also believe music can elicit an physical reaction, as for me there are certain songs that when I hear, I tear up (well it is an emotional reaction, which causes a physical reaction). I also feel that this could be both a conscious and unconscious occurrence, and one that is very situational. Not all music causes a response. But in most cases, if I start listening to a song I find catchy I will start to air drum along with it.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I believe that music made does reflect the society in some sort (even if it is a little bit) because the person composing the music, is having influences from their society pressed onto them, whether the composer is conscious of it or not.
I totally related to this article, and in response to Eric's question, I have a similar experience when I'm driving, but not so much in the speed, but in the rate at which time seems to pass. My bi-annual drives between Northern California and Southern California takes approximately 7.5 hours and for the most part I have always undertaken this drive with someone in my family. With my mom & brother, I have totally monopoly over the music being played, therefore I listen to what I like & the drive is over in no time. When I am with my dad, the dynamic is a little different because he always insists on listening to Korean radio as we pass through L.A. Now, I hate listening to Korean radio. In my opinion they're always rather dumb & silly, or they have dumb & silly people calling in talking about dumb & silly 'problems.' But my dad's only connection to the 'homeland' (haha) seems to be Korean radio, and since we don't have it in NorCal (at least where I'm from) I always feel obliged to at least let him indulge for a couple hours. But this is the most agonizing part of the drive. It's as though time stops & we are NEVER going to get out of L.A. The monotonous drive on the I-5 never felt long because I can listen to what I want, but the 2 hours in LA feel like HOURS and HOURS. It's almost like I can breath again once my dad switches off the radio [he waits until the signal is SOOO bad that all you hear is static] & I can play my stuff.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm sure my family may feel the ride is long when they have to put up with my music but I'm the one driving. At least they get to sleep.