
Who Needs Classical Music?
Cultural Choice and Musical Values
Julian Johnson(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 20. June 2002
Book
Hardback
152 pages
978-0-19-514681-3 (ISBN)
Description
During the last several decades, most cultural critics have come to agree that the division between 'high' and 'low' art is an artificial one, that Beethoven's Ninth and 'Blue Suede Shoes' are equally valuable as cultural texts. In Who Needs Classical Music?, Julian Johnson challenges these dominant assumptions about the relativism of cultural judgements. The author maintains that music is more than just 'a matter of taste': while some music provides entertainment, or serves as background noise, other music functions as art. This book considers the value of classical music in contemporary society, arguing that it remains distinctive because it works in quite different ways than most of the other music that surrounds us.
In this long essay, Johnson aims to restore classical music's intrinsic aesthetic value and to rescue it from a designation as mere signifier of elitism or refinement. Who Needs Classical Music? is certain to spark debate among cultural critics and have important repercussions for arts policy.
In this long essay, Johnson aims to restore classical music's intrinsic aesthetic value and to rescue it from a designation as mere signifier of elitism or refinement. Who Needs Classical Music? is certain to spark debate among cultural critics and have important repercussions for arts policy.
Reviews / Votes
There is much to admire and provoke in this book ... it warrants serious engagement ... Read it and discuss the issues it raises as widely as possible because it offers the opportunity for serious debate about music and its relationship to the way we live our lives. * Popular Music *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
399 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-514681-3 (9780195146813)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
09/2011
Oxford University Press Inc
€41.20
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
09/2011
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€18.49
Available for download

E-Book
03/2002
1st Edition
OUP USA
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Julian Johnson was educated at the University of Cambridge, Dartington College of the Arts, and the University of Sussex, and is currently a lecturer in Music at Oxford University. The author of Webern and the Transformation of Nature, Johnson is well known for his work on music aesthetics and the relation of music to society. He is also a composer.
Content
Introduction
1: Musical Values
2: Uses and Abuses
3: Music as Art
4: Understanding Music
5: The Old, the New, and the Contemporary
6: Cultural Choices
Bibliography
Index
1: Musical Values
2: Uses and Abuses
3: Music as Art
4: Understanding Music
5: The Old, the New, and the Contemporary
6: Cultural Choices
Bibliography
Index