Methodology and theories of musicology

The course presents some of the current trends in musicology (new musicology, gender studies with particular reference to aesthetic autonomy and formalism), performance studies (historical recordings, the early music movement, performance studies, etc.), reception studies (aesthetics of reception, history of listening, the position of the spectator) and other theoretical approaches to music (cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, etc.) and the issues involved in terms of research, transmission and mediation.

A corpus of texts studied in class from the following authors: French authors (Bernard Sève, Peter Szendy, Claude Levi-Strauss, Antoine Hennion, Michel Poizat, etc.) or from the Anglo-Saxon sphere (Joseph Kerman, Carl Dahlhaus, William Weber, Susan Mac Clary, Nicholas Cook, Kevin Korsyn, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, etc.); some authors from the past (René Leibowitz, Hans-Robert Jauss, Roland-Manuel, Ferruccio Busoni, Vincent d'Indy, Edouard Hanslick, etc.) with a few openings in other fields....) with a few openings in other artistic fields (Jacques Rancière, François Laplantine...). These texts are usually analysed in relation to musical works referred to or illuminated by these authors.

This course is compulsory for students on the preparatory musicology cycle; it is one of the compulsory complementary disciplines for the^2nd cycle higher musicology diploma conferring a master's degree (see higher musicology cycle study path). It is open to all Conservatoire students (subject to availability).

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

Students complete written and oral assignments: reading notes, presentations, reviews of live or recorded performances, etc.

Continuous assessment marks count for half of the final assessment mark.

If a dissertation is produced as part of this course, it may be validated as personal study work (PSW) after submission of an application.

If a dissertation is produced as part of the course, it may be validated as personal study work (TEP) after submission to the commission for validation of prior learning (VAA).

FINAL EXAMINATION

Oral examination: a 30-minute presentation on a theme set in advance for each student, accompanied by a documentary and bibliographical dossier.

1 year (2 hours weekly)