Discussing Bach

• In this inaugural issue of Discussing Bach panel members propose several new, historically grounded approaches to the question of emotion in Bach’s music, building on some of the frameworks developed in recent emotions history. Conversely, they consider what the study of music (and Bach’s music in particular) might fruitfully contribute to the writing of emotional histories. Each participant presents a short position statement on an aspect of the topic which is then briefly discussed by the others. Bettina Varwig begins by reflecting on the place of music within the history of emotions and the ways in which new approaches to Bach’s music can reshape certain key narratives about early modern affect. Ruth Tatlow then explores the role that musical proportions were understood to play in generating emotional response, illustrating her points from the history of resonating numbers and resonating form. Finally, John Butt considers the emotional content in Bach’s music in terms of concepts of embodiment, specifically the ways in which dance allusions are nested in the music on an astonishing variety of levels.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Musikvetenskap (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Musicology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

J. S. Bach; Emotion; Embodied Music; Proportions; Moving the emotions

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

sam (subject category)