B8704 - Philosophy and Musical Aesthetics (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student: - achieves a clear understanding of the meaning that the philosophy and aesthetics of music played throughout history and of their mutual differences. - acquires the methodological tools that will allow him/her/them to interpret specific moments in the history of musics and sounds from the point of view of philosophy and aesthetics; learns to correctly place in historical time and space some of the major issues related to the discipline. In terms of skills, this knowledge provides the student with analytical tools that will allow him/her/them to assign meaning to phenomena both of the past and of the present and with linguistic and conceptual tools that will enable him/her/them to discuss them properly.

Course contents

French music theatre and its querelles: the philosophy of music of J.-J. Rousseau

The course aims to introduce students to French music theatre of the 17^th and 18^th century, explaining the reasons for the birth of a peculiar tradition, different from the one of Italian opera. It also aims to introduce students to the fascinating aesthetic debate on French music, with an especial focus on the music philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Though many centuries separate us from Rousseau’s writings, the reading of essays such as the Discourse on the Sciences and the Arts, or The Origin of Languages will not leave one emotionless: moments of clairvoyance, inconceivable provocations, lyrism mixed with rationality, all these elements will captivate readers of any time. Besides the beauty of Rousseau’s pages, his thought is a real cornerstone to understanding 18^th century musical aesthetics and its connection with historical and political thoughts of the time

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site [https://site/] .unibo.it/tudent-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Scritti sulle arti, ed. by F. Bollino, Bologna, CLUEB, 1998 (2 ed., or any other. The essays to be studied are ONLY the following: Discorso sulle scienze e sulle arti, Saggio sull’origine delle lingue, Antologia di voci dal dizionario di musica) [If you know French, you can clearly opt for the O.V.] 

2. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Lettera sulla musica francese, ed. by L. Leone, Youcanprint, 2019 [If you know French, you can clearly opt for the O.V.] 

3. Amalia Collisani, La musica di Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Roma, NeoClassica, 2024 (ONLY pages: 13-39 [“Jean-Jacques e Rousseau”, “Prime esperienze musicali”], 55-126 [“Un lavoro straordinario”, “Le due musiche”, “Le Devin du village”, “Fai musica francese!”, “L’origine”], 139-187 [“L’arte del musicista”, “Il teatro”, “Pygmalion”]).

4. Lecture notes and other texts uploaded on Virtuale (a file called “Dispensa”)

Teaching methods

Lecturing, listening to musical examples

Assessment methods

Oral examination intended to verify the correct understanding of the compulsory readings.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Assessment:

EXCELLENT: students achieving an organic vision of the course contents, the use of a proper specific language, a structural and historical-contextual understanding of the studied works, the originality of the reflection

AVERAGE: mechanical or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, inappropriate synthesis and analysis capabilities, a correct but not always appropriate language,

BARELY SUFFICIENT: students with minor learning gaps, use of inappropriate language

INSUFFICIENT: major learning gaps, inappropriate language, incomplete reading of the compulsory books.

Teaching tools

Audio, video and other files uploaded on Virtuale

Office hours

See the website of Maria Semi