Music to Hear on Here: Rusty the Skatemaker by Rasputina

Monday, February 14, 2011

Rusty the Skatemaker by Rasputina

In "Metaphysics of the Beautiful and Aesthetics," Schopenhauer writes that "a fine piece of music, played only in 4 parts, may sometimes move us more deeply than" a fully orchestrated piece or opera, "as a drawing sometimes has more effect than has an oil painting" (123). He also claims that "simplicity...is a law that is essential to all art, that is beautiful." He notes the importance of melody, that a poor melody says nothing and therefore signifies nothing (119); the importance of composition, for and admirable composition fairly played is far better than a poor composition played well (126); and he discusses drama as being the most perfect mirror of human existence (129). He's says a lot of things :)

I selected this song from the band Rasputina because it is classically based, has dramatic elements, and leaves a remainder for the listener's imagination. The chorus melody is infectious in an unusual way, and the arrangements are simple. I posted 2 versions, to show that the composition and performance match live and in the studio. The live version starts at 37 seconds.

Enjoy!

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Course Description

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." Martin Mull (or Elvis Costello)

Thinking about the meaning and value, intellectual, affective and neurological experiences, and aesthetics of music has occupied an important position in modern and contemporary philosophical writings. Central to the philosophy of music is a questioning of what music is insofar as it is an art form and practice, akin to but different from other arts, such as drama, literature, painting, sculpture, to name but a few examples. Claims have been made, in fact, that music’s effect, when performed and listened to, surpasses those of the other arts because of its abstact purity, of its universality, and of its singular capacity to express, represent and incite emotions. This course will explore such issues in 19th-20th century philosophy. We will begin with introductory readings of what composes the field and discipline of the philosophy of music. We will read—among other philosophers, novelists, critics and musicologists—Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Barthes and Adorno’s writings on music. Finally, we will have the occasion to read about and listen to specific musicians, both high and low, and explore the contexts of their work, concentrating on the historical and political dimensions of the practice, performance and art of making music.