Symphonic Metamorphoses
Subjectivity and Alienation in Mahler's Re-cycled Songs
Published on 31. July 2003
Book
Hardback
360 pages
978-0-8195-6635-5 (ISBN)
Description
An investigation of Mahler's distinctive voice, seeking to take readers beyond most existing critical analyses of Mahler's work, escaping the tired traps of broad historical survey and formalist plot summary. Raymond Knapp considers Mahler's early practice of basing his symphonies on pre-existing songs and elaborates how this practice informs the techniques and tropes of Mahler's musico-cultural discourse, involving montage, social satire, subjectivity, autonomy, alienation, childhood, absolute music, time and cosmology. Knapp explores these themes with persuasive readings backed by scholarship, providing insights into the organic link between Mahler's music and his historo-cultural sphere.
Reviews / Votes
"Symphonic Metamorphoses is a major contribution to the study of the late romantic symphony. Knapp is a superb writer: the arguments are focused, invariably clear and jargon-free, at the same time the analyses are penetrating." - Richard Leppert, Samuel Russell Distinguished Professor of Humanities, University of Minnesota; "This is a highly significant book that contributes in a profound way to research on Mahler. All musicologists should read it. Symphonic Metamorphoses breaks new ground on many levels." - Tamara Levitz, Associate Professor, McGill UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
38 b&w illustrations, 9 figures
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-8195-6635-5 (9780819566355)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Raymond Knapp is Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of California at Los Angeles and the author of Brahms and the Challenge of the Symphony (1997).