Understanding Music: Philosophy and Interpretation [Hardcover]

Roger Scruton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1847065066 | ISBN-13: 978-1847065063 | Edition: 1

Roger Scruton first addressed this topic in his celebrated book The Aesthetics of Music (OUP) and in this new book he applies the theory to the practice and examines a number of composers and musical forms. His continued fascination with Wagner provides much interesting content but he also deals near-death blows to his favorite targets like Pierre Boulez and Hoagy Carmichael. His legal encounter with The Pet Shop Boys is well documented (they sued him for libel in 1999) and the book closes with a devastating chapter on pop music, containing more controversial views that readers will relish. Many will be delighted; others enraged. However, underlying this book there is a consistent argument and passion for tonality and rhythm.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The prolific philosopher turns his attention back to music, exploring the fundamental elements that make a great piece. Ranging from Wagner to Hoagy Carmichael and even a final chapter on 'the disaster of pop', this is trademark, provocotive Scruton." - Bookseller, 20 May 2009.

'As a welcome addition to Roger Scruton's continuing canon of fascinating works on the nature and meaning of music, this short, dense book amply supports his genuine and lifelong belief that aesthetic contemplation offers the key to proper understanding of motivation and meaning, not just in ourselves, but in everything around us.' - Literary Review

BBC Music Choice - 5/5 stars
'Illuminating ... touching ... much to inspire. Anyone who is capable of being deeply moved by music should read it.' - BBC Music Magazine

'Roger Scruton presents a depth of knowledge and understanding that could make listening to a symphony all the more meaningful ... worthwhile for those who would like a deeper relationship with classical music.' - Good Book Guide

4/5 stars
'Aesthetic arguments are well summarised, disagreements presented very largely without querulousness; [Scruton] ... avoids shrill dogmatism. And while he makes substantial reference to music theory, he does so without the cack-handedness of many non-specialist music students.' - Classical Music

BBC Music Choice - 5/5 stars
'Illuminating ... touching ... much to inspire.  Anyone who is capable of being deeply moved by music should read it.' - BBC Music Magazine

About the Author

Professor Roger Scruton is Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Washington and Senior Research Fellow at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford. His other books include Sexual Desire, The West and the Rest, England: An Elegy, News from Somewhere and Gentle Regrets (all published by Continuum).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic; 1 edition (August 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847065066
• ISBN-13: 978-1847065063
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The mystery of music revealed January 8, 2013

By J. Tomaszek

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have often been frustrated by not being able to articulate just what music is. Words fail me with such an emotional topic. It was nice to know that it is not simple to define or explain and deals with both philosophical concepts and personal taste and interpretations. This book is an excellent, deeply thought out analysis of our universal love and need of music.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good and Bad August 23, 2012

By California Bill

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Philosophers of music go to great lengths in attempting to explain music philosophically. This says something about the great depths of music. I suspect that the complexity of these books comes about because the philosophy of music is really a philosophy of the mind, and not a philosophy of notes. Music taps into all areas of the mind, down to the most basic areas, dealing with the physical world.

In this book, Roger Scruton is not shy about using the full force of technical terminology about both music and philosophy. He moves quickly from idea to idea and nimbly covers his subjects.

Scruton emphasizes the wholistic nature of music. Music is at once technical and emotional. Form and content are inseparable. The composition itself and the performance itself work together.

The book is divided into two parts. Part I is called "Aesthetics." Part II is called "Criticism." I found part I to be quite interesting and often convincing. Part II did not hold my attention. Part II is full of superlatives and gushing praise and harsh condemnations.

I have to admit I liked the final chapter, an extended criticism of Adorno. I have always found Adorno's writing on music to be bizarre at best.