The Oxford Handbook of Time in Music

The Oxford Handbook of Time in Music explores the ways music can modify, intensify, and dismantle our understanding of time's passing, bringing together philosophical, psychological, and socio-cultural perspectives to establish the richness and complexity of contemporary music-making.

Format: Hardback
Length: 648 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Music is a profound exploration of the nature of time itself, a subject that resonates with listeners, composers, and performers alike. At the heart of the musical experience lies the ability of music to alter, intensify, and even challenge our perception of the passing of time. The Oxford Handbook of Time in Music presents a collection of groundbreaking scholarship that delves into the creation of musical time, its impact, and its underlying structures. By bringing together philosophical, psychological, and socio-cultural perspectives on time in music, the chapters highlight the act of creation as both a cultural construction and a perceptual and cognitive process. This unique synthesis of diverse viewpoints on the nature of time in music establishes the richness and complexity of contemporary music-making, transcending historical boundaries between art and popular music.

The Handbook explores the diverse ways in which music shapes our understanding of time, from the temporal patterns and structures of musical compositions to the psychological and physiological responses of listeners. It examines the role of rhythm, melody, harmony, and tempo in creating temporal experiences and explores the cultural and historical contexts in which different musical traditions have developed their temporal systems.

One of the key themes of the Handbook is the relationship between music and the human experience of time. It explores how music can evoke nostalgia, create a sense of timelessness, and facilitate the exploration of temporal dimensions beyond the linear and sequential. The chapters also examine the ways in which music can be used as a tool for therapeutic purposes, such as in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

Another important aspect of the Handbook is its focus on contemporary music. While paying homage to the temporalities of the nineteenth century, it also highlights the richness and diversity of contemporary music-making. The volume showcases the innovative approaches and techniques employed by composers and performers to create music that challenges traditional notions of time and encourages new ways of experiencing and understanding the passing of time.

In conclusion, the Oxford Handbook of Time in Music is a groundbreaking resource that provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the nature of time in music. By bringing together a diverse range of perspectives and approaches, it establishes the richness and complexity of contemporary music-making and offers valuable insights into the human experience of time. Whether you are a musician, a scholar, or simply a music lover, this Handbook is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of music, time, and human consciousness.

Dimension: 248 x 171 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190947279