Introduction: Philosophy and the Analysis of Music

UNK's, "Walk It Out" set to Bob Fosse's, "Original 60"

The Summary:

In Lawrence Ferrara's Philosophy and the Analysis of Music, the reader is introduced to the multiple levels of the musical experience and begins to rationalize the approaches to understanding the musical experience.

Dr. Ferrara begins the introduction by stating that music is "happening" and that the word "music" merely names a category of activity. Music involves performance as an experience that engages emotions and rationality together, the listener is involved in a multi-dimensional musical experience. Ferrara introduces the categories he wishes to dissect later in the book: Phenomenological methods which are used to describe music in sound and time, Conventional methods also addressed as syntax explain musical form, and Hermeneutic methods that support referential musical interpretations which explore the feelings and historical context that the composer could be referencing in his/her work.

Lawrence Ferrara attempts to explore how these methods of interpretation interact with each other and can't always stand alone when trying to gain access to a work's meaning. Ferrara writes, "Each method tends to omit at least one dimension of musical significance," and the "back and forth movements between" the methods of analysis create a much fuller understanding of the musical experience.

The Personal Reaction:
Bob Fosse's, "Original 60" staring Gwen Verdon.

UNK's original video, "Walk it Out"

It's very intriguing to me that I am beginning this class at this point in my life. Technology is making it so that we can mash together whatever we want to create new forms of art out of past forms of art. The Youtube video posted above is UNK's, "Walk It Out" set to Bob Fosse's "Original 60" dance number. I think this ties into what we were discussing in class today. I know that I do not have time to go into a full eclectic analysis in this reflection but I really want to further express that I also think it's possible for art to be open ended and adaptable. I enjoy "Original 60" ten times more than I do to the original music it is set too. I am passionate about the idea that art can become anything we want it to be and I strongly believe that art is never finished. I think that this leads to more connectivity in art between artists and the art enthusiast. I also wanted to post Beyonce's, "Single Ladies," because it is said to be inspired by Bob Fosse's choreography... or perhaps the "Walk it Out" video?

Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVEGfH4s5g