Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Adorno and Music
Adorno's concept of standardization stems from the industrialization of culture -- the most fitting example being that of the assembly line, where cars are manufactured in the exact same manner, robotically, without any originality or deviation occurring. The standard is the same. In music, standardization occurs in a similar manner -- instead of cars being manufactured, the culture industry manufactures music, art, cinema, books, etc. I piece of music that I believe has aesthetic value is Nino Rota's "Theme" for the Fellini film 8 1/2. It has a very basic structure and thematically resembles a circus piece -- which applies to the chaotic narrative of the film about a director trying to marshal both his internal and his external environment towards "the hoop" through which everything is meant to pass. The music is colorful, inviting, rhythmic, and very much like a march that easily draws the listener into its world. The theme's main motif is repeated again and again at varying paces, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, depending upon the feeling that Rota is attempting to evoke. The rhythmic structure of the piece is thus varied and never stale: rhythm acts as a driver of the melody, but the melody remains at the top and at the fore -- without it, there is no work at all.
The work has emotional value in part because of its application in the film; detached from the film, it is still an enjoyable work, but the emotional and aesthetic value is tied to the film by Fellini for anyone who has seen it. For a new listener, unaware of the "Theme" in the film but hearing it for the first time, there is likely to be an appreciation of the dramatic qualities of the score. However, the standardization that Adorno discusses and the rhythmic structure may be more evident to this type of listener, who is unaffected by the visuals and narrative of the film and their impact on the theme by Rota. The emotions roused by the film are sure to intertwine with those of the music to create an even deeper emotional experience for one who is both a viewer of the film and a hearer of the music.
Emotional value contributes to our understanding of a piece of…
Works Cited
Adorno, Theodore. "On Jazz." Essays on Music. CA: University of California Press,
2002. Print.
Rota, Nino. "Theme for Fellini's 8 1/2." YouTube. Web. 6 Jan 2017.
Music What music do you associate with childhood? How did/does this music make you feel? How do your choices reflect your childhood experiences? Music that is associated with childhood has special significance as it not only contributes to the mental development of the child but also reminds one of the happy memories of the childhood. Even the research shows that the music that a child hears has influence on him throughout his
In other words each music performance is different and the impulsiveness of each performance confirms the concept of indeterminate music. 6) Describe an Indonesian Gamelan. (Textbook p. 282-283) It said that Debussy, when he heard the Indonesian ensemble called gamelan was surprisingly delighted at its diverse and delicate timbers, and decided to use the elements in the impressionistic sound which he was working at developing. The gamelan, a distinctive Indonesian orchestra consisting
Music Anastasia The Music in "Anastasia" Movies are remembered either for their stories, plot, characters or music. It is the challenge for the director and producer of the movie to make effective use of as many aspects of the movie as he can. The cartoon and animated movies normally are remembered for their graphics and fantasy. Music adds to the fantasy of a movie. Anastasia is one such movie that offers a complete
Music & Cognition Music is a fundamental element of human culture that has been in existence nearly as long as humans have existed. Most people who listen to and appreciate music can personally attest to the power or influence music has. We listen to certain songs or types of music to reinforce or change our moods. Each person knows what songs will bring on a rush of memories or sensations that
Music has always been an important part of my life. From the time I was a little boy into my adolescence and through my teenage years, music was my companion whenever I could put my headset on and not get in trouble for listening to music. My good times were accompanied by music and just like my friends, music was there when I wasn't doing so well. In fact music
Music Voice Borders John Coltrane's Innovation Exemplified in the piece "In a Sentimental Mood" "John Coltrane's brief career was one of constant evolution and the innovations of each period of his development have had ramifications for the playing of virtually every contemporary jazz player;" Coltrane's level of innovation was unprecedented, and still is to this day (Baker 1990 p 11). He is now one of the most well-known artists in Jazz music