Szymanowski, Eroticism and the Voices of Mythology

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music
Cover of the book Szymanowski, Eroticism and the Voices of Mythology by Stephen Downes, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephen Downes ISBN: 9781351547239
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 13, 2018
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Stephen Downes
ISBN: 9781351547239
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 13, 2018
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The desire to voice the artistic revelation of the truth of a precarious, multi-faceted, yet integrated self lies behind much of Szymanowski's work. This self is projected through the voices of deities who speak languages of love. The unifying figure is Eros, who may be embodied as Dionysus, Christ, Narcissus or Orpheus, and the gospel he proclaims tells of the resurrection and freedom of the desiring subject. This book examines Szymanowski's exploration of the relationship between the authorial voice, mythology and eroticism within the context of the crisis of the modern subject in Western culture. Stephen Downes analyses mythological and erotic aspects of selected songs from the composer's early career, moving to an interpretation of the voice of the homoerotic lover, embodied as a mad muezzin, in terms of heroic notions of Orphic elegy. Discussing the encounters of King Roger with the voices of Narcissus, the Siren and Dionysus, Downes shows how the composer uses the unifying Christ/Eros figure as a means of indicating that the King might be transformed from anguished despot to loving expressive subject. The book ends with an examination of Szymanowski's desire to fuse Slavonic and Middle-Eastern mythological inspirations in an attempt to fulfil a utopian vision of a pan-European culture bound together by the spirit of Eros.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The desire to voice the artistic revelation of the truth of a precarious, multi-faceted, yet integrated self lies behind much of Szymanowski's work. This self is projected through the voices of deities who speak languages of love. The unifying figure is Eros, who may be embodied as Dionysus, Christ, Narcissus or Orpheus, and the gospel he proclaims tells of the resurrection and freedom of the desiring subject. This book examines Szymanowski's exploration of the relationship between the authorial voice, mythology and eroticism within the context of the crisis of the modern subject in Western culture. Stephen Downes analyses mythological and erotic aspects of selected songs from the composer's early career, moving to an interpretation of the voice of the homoerotic lover, embodied as a mad muezzin, in terms of heroic notions of Orphic elegy. Discussing the encounters of King Roger with the voices of Narcissus, the Siren and Dionysus, Downes shows how the composer uses the unifying Christ/Eros figure as a means of indicating that the King might be transformed from anguished despot to loving expressive subject. The book ends with an examination of Szymanowski's desire to fuse Slavonic and Middle-Eastern mythological inspirations in an attempt to fulfil a utopian vision of a pan-European culture bound together by the spirit of Eros.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Military Experience in the Age of Reason by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Immigration, 'Race' and Ethnicity in Contemporary France by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Averroes and Hegel on Philosophy and Religion by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Islamic Civilization in South Asia by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Digital Memory Studies by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book The Political Economy of European Employment by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Media, Wars and Politics by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Organized Crime by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Dating, Mating, and Marriage by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Supernatural and Natural Selection by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Pagan Peoples of the Central Area of Northern Nigeria by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Marketing Research for the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Industries by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Media Spectacle by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Narrative Exchanges (Routledge Revivals) by Stephen Downes
Cover of the book Prostitution, Trafficking, and Traumatic Stress by Stephen Downes
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy