The Musical Novel

Imitation of Musical Structure, Performance, and Reception in Contemporary Fiction

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Music Styles, Classical & Opera, Classical, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, American
Cover of the book The Musical Novel by Emily Petermann, Boydell & Brewer
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Emily Petermann ISBN: 9781782048862
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Publication: May 1, 2014
Imprint: Camden House Language: English
Author: Emily Petermann
ISBN: 9781782048862
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Publication: May 1, 2014
Imprint: Camden House
Language: English

What is a "musical novel"? This book defines the genre as musical not primarily in terms of its content, but in its form. The musical novel crosses medial boundaries, aspiring to techniques, structures, and impressions similar to those of music. It takes music as a model for its own construction, borrowing techniques and forms that range from immediately perceptible, essential aspects of music (rhythm, timbre, the simultaneity of multiple voices) to microstructural (jazz riffs, call and response, leitmotifs) and macrostructural elements (themes and variations, symphonies, albums). The musical novel also evokes the performance context by imitating elements of spontaneity that characterize improvised jazz or audience interaction. The Musical Novel builds upon theories of intermediality and semiotics to analyze the musical structures, forms, and techniques in two groups of musical novels, which serve as case studies. The first group imitates an entire musical genre and consists of jazz novels by Toni Morrison, Albert Murray, Xam Wilson Cartiér, Stanley Crouch, Jack Fuller, Michael Ondaatje, and Christian Gailly. The second group of novels, by Richard Powers, Gabriel Josipovici, Rachel Cusk, Nancy Huston, and Thomas Bernhard, imitates a single piece of music, J. S. Bach's Goldberg Variations. Emily Petermann is Assistant Professor of American Literature at the University of Konstanz.

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

What is a "musical novel"? This book defines the genre as musical not primarily in terms of its content, but in its form. The musical novel crosses medial boundaries, aspiring to techniques, structures, and impressions similar to those of music. It takes music as a model for its own construction, borrowing techniques and forms that range from immediately perceptible, essential aspects of music (rhythm, timbre, the simultaneity of multiple voices) to microstructural (jazz riffs, call and response, leitmotifs) and macrostructural elements (themes and variations, symphonies, albums). The musical novel also evokes the performance context by imitating elements of spontaneity that characterize improvised jazz or audience interaction. The Musical Novel builds upon theories of intermediality and semiotics to analyze the musical structures, forms, and techniques in two groups of musical novels, which serve as case studies. The first group imitates an entire musical genre and consists of jazz novels by Toni Morrison, Albert Murray, Xam Wilson Cartiér, Stanley Crouch, Jack Fuller, Michael Ondaatje, and Christian Gailly. The second group of novels, by Richard Powers, Gabriel Josipovici, Rachel Cusk, Nancy Huston, and Thomas Bernhard, imitates a single piece of music, J. S. Bach's Goldberg Variations. Emily Petermann is Assistant Professor of American Literature at the University of Konstanz.

More books from Boydell & Brewer

Cover of the book Elgar the Music Maker by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Music, Indigeneity, Digital Media by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Composing for Japanese Instruments by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book The First Century of Welfare by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Britannia and the Bear by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book The Politics of Peacemaking in Africa by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book ALT 36: Queer Theory in Film & Fiction by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Unmasking Ravel by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book The Complete Story of the Grail by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book The Three Choirs Festival: A History by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Looking for the "Harp" Quartet by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Crises in Economic and Social History by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book The Spy Who Came In From the Co-op by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Music and Musical Composition at the American Academy in Rome by Emily Petermann
Cover of the book Remembering Africa by Emily Petermann
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