Based on the authority and import of this Scripture, I am drawn to the
philosophical conclusion that it is the responsibility of each Christian
musician to gain the knowledge necessary to ascertain what “the joyful sound”
is. In order to accomplish this
difficult task one must gain understanding of the internal formal properties of
each selection of music that he or she listens to or performs. I have contended for years that the formal
properties of music communicate a message to everyone who performs or listens
or performs them.
I also believe that no one is capable of musicing actively or passively
in a “bubble”. Music is not in its own
little world with its meaning being “its own” with no relationship to life. I also reject the lack-luster music
philosophy that music is not capable of saying or communicating anything at
all. Music is not a meaningless benign
art. From the time of Plato and
Aristotle, many music philosophers have believed that music is a powerful
art. These music philosophers have
believed over past centuries that music can and does have an emotional and
moral affect on the performer and auditor.
In fairness I must admit that a host of twentieth century music
philosophers believed that, although music did have meaning, that its meaning
was its own and was in no way related to life.
No comments:
Post a Comment