Beethoven and the Construction of Genius: Musical Politics in Vienna, 1792-1803
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.32 (976 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0520088921 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 252 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-09-19 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
In this provocative account Tia DeNora reconceptualizes the notion of genius by placing the life and career of Ludwig van Beethoven in its social context. In contemplating the political and social implications of culture, DeNora casts many aspects of Beethoven's biography in a new and different light, enriching our understanding of his success as a performer and composer.. She explores the ways Beethoven was seen by his contemporaries and the image crafted by his supporters. Comparing Beethoven to contemporary rivals now largely forgotten, DeNora reveals a figure musically in
Sociology book Jeffrey Huntington This is scholarly and well-written book. However, it is not about whether Beethoven was a genius, it's about how the concept of genius changed in Beethoven's lifetime. So, I guess it's History of Sociology. Falls into the language of Lacan, which some find offensive.. "An astonishing thesis that disregards the music!" according to HMannyF@aol.com. Are we really to believe that the music of this man does not speak for itself? Was it really his "political connections" and "who he knew" that led to his success in 19th century Vienna? Are there really other Beethovens running around out there who just haven't gotten a break. A nice parlor exercise p. The Man in the Hathaway Shirt said She starts with her conclusion and then works backwards. It's tempting to start this review by saying sociologists should stay away from musical topics, at least if they can't appreciate music, and I mean *appreciate* rather than "enjoy." But maybe a fairer criticism would be if you're going to upset the apple cart this much, you'd really better have a sturd
DeNora makes important contributions not only to our knowledge of Beethoven and of the social construction of genius but to the general problems of how identities are created, shaped, and sustained and of how aesthetic claims gain authority."—Craig Calhoun, University of North Carolina. In illuminating how changing social institutions created opportunities for Beethoven to gain contemporary and posthumous recognition, and, in so doing, created new forms for thinking and talking about musical achievement—the author at once provides fresh insights into the institutional origins of 'classical' music and offers an exemplary contribution to the sociological study of the arts."—Paul DiMag