ABSTRACTS: Stravinsky Borrowings and Cage on Popular Television

Andre

Whew! Things have been pretty hectic lately! In addition to the usual chipping away at the ol’ dissertation, I’ve been preparing abstracts for paper proposals at a number of upcoming conferences. (See my post from November 15.)

Responses from conference committees have slowly (but surely!) been trickling in. Unfortunately, the Experience Music Project Pop Conference couldn’t find a place for my proposed paper on Zappa’s xenochrony. Oh well, maybe next year… On the other hand, I’ve had two abstracts accepted! Read the abstracts after the jump.

The first paper I’ll be reading will be at a meeting of the Northern California Chapter of the American Musicological Society on Saturday, February 6 (2010), to be held at the Braun Music Center at Stanford University. My paper is entitled: “Does Serious Music Belong in Pop? Borrowings from Stravinsky in the Music of Frank Zappa.” Judging from the program, the meeting is sure to have some very interesting papers on a wide variety of topics. Program here. (The acute accent adorning the “e” in my name wasn’t my idea, but it sure looks snazzy, doesn’t it?)

Here’s the abstract:

“Does Serious Music Belong in Pop? Borrowings from Stravinsky in the Music of Frank Zappa”

Crossover music, from Paul Simon’s Graceland to Gunther Schuller’s Third Stream, is generally presented as dismantling socio-musical boundaries. This understanding, however, is incomplete. Even as it achieves a sense of stylistic hybridity, crossover music simultaneously reinforces longstanding musical barriers. In this vein, Frank Zappa’s quotations of music by modernist composers in pop-centric contexts—often presented as a “missing link” between cultivated and vernacular traditions—ultimately depend on the contrast of stylistic juxtaposition. This paper explores various types of borrowing that appear in Zappa’s music, and shows that, depending on the structural significance of the borrowing, they acquire meanings that confront perceived barriers between “high” and “low” art.

From Zappa’s borrowing-rich repertoire, this paper isolates quotations of music by Igor Stravinsky. “Status Back Baby” (1966) forms the centerpiece of my analysis. An intentionally mundane pop song, “Status Back Baby” integrates melodic fragments from the first tableau of Petrushka and bases its harmonic structure on Stravinsky’s octatonic/diatonic schema. By integrating the quotation in this manner, Zappa effectively appropriates the very technique of his modernist forbears.

I supplement this examination with discussions of other pieces by Zappa that draw from Stravinsky in different ways: “In-A-Gadda-Stravinsky” and “Fountain of Love.” Each of these pieces highlight the musical contrast of mid-century pop music with Stravinsky’s avant-garde modernism. But Zappa repeatedly claimed that such gestures were philanthropic, intended to bring “serious music” to a lay audience—loss leaders meant to seduce the listener into appreciating more challenging repertoire.

Despite the disparate means of conception and execution, the effect of these quotations relies on the contrast between musical traditions. Although the specific implications of each depend on their structural integration, in both cases boundaries are reinforced as much as blurred.

I will also be reading a paper entitled “Laughter Over Tears: John Cage, Experimental Art Music, and Popular Television” for the annual Music and the Moving Image conference (May 21-23, 2010) at the NYU Steinhardt School’s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions. While not directly related to my Zappa research per se, the paper will likely serve as groundwork for a chapter on Cage’s influence on Zappa.

And the abstract for this one:

“Laughter Over Tears: John Cage, Experimental Art Music, and Popular Television”

“These are nice people, but some of them are going to laugh. Is that alright?” “Of course!” John Cage replied gleefully, setting up a performance of his Water Walk on a 1960 episode of the game show I’ve Got a Secret, “I consider laughter preferable to tears!”

Cage designed Water Walk (1959) specifically to be performed on television. Reworking an earlier composition—Water Music (1952)—he adapted to popular television conventions by focusing more explicitly on humor and visuality. In this paper, I offer a close analysis of differences between Water Music and Water Walk to demonstrate how Cage approached the televised medium. By comparing Cage’s evolving outlook on musical composition to contemporaneous discussions on the nature of the performing arts on television, I frame Cage’s performance as the product of these momentarily intersecting trajectories.

During the first few decades of broadcast television, much of the attendant discourse was concerned with how the new medium would contribute to the performing arts. As one writer noted in 1950, television’s unique liveness—its “immediacy, spontaneity, and actuality”—made it well-suited for a revival of vaudeville. Variety shows and game shows continued this tradition. Meanwhile, throughout the 1950s, Cage became increasingly engaged with theatricality and the visual aspects of performance. Television offered an exciting venue through which to explore these interests. Rejecting the traditional values of western art music, Cage appeals instead to television aesthetics—he chooses laughter over tears.

I’m very excited about speaking at both of these conferences! Readers are encouraged to attend either (or both!) if you’re in the area and would like to be mentally stimulated!

(My apologies for the lack of posts lately. Stay tuned for more Zappa goodness in the weeks to come!)

ABSTRACTS: Stravinsky Borrowings and Cage on Popular Television

161 thoughts on “ABSTRACTS: Stravinsky Borrowings and Cage on Popular Television”

  7. nike air foamposite one pink

    the jordan super.fly 2017 low appears in three colorways weartestersquentin shadeslyst gucci large aviator frame sunglasses with gucci trademarkthe tom ford line of eyewear is fabulously designed with luxury in mind. the designs are timeless

  8. acogedor hilfiger denim chaquetas chaquetas chaqueta mujer blanco vaquera 98 algodè´¸n 2 elastano denim

    胁懈褕懈胁泻邪 斜褨褋械褉芯屑 屑邪褌褨褉 斜芯卸邪泻褍锌懈褌懈 褋屑邪褉褌 谐芯写懈薪薪懈泻 lf07 芯褉懈谐褨薪邪谢 褍 谢褜胁芯胁褨 褑褨薪邪卸褨薪芯褔邪 蟹懈屑芯胁邪 褕邪锌泻邪 褔芯褉薪邪 蟹 斜褍斜芯薪芯屑 胁褨写 泻芯屑锌邪薪褨褩 卸褨薪芯褔褨 褕褍斜懈 褌邪 卸懈谢械褌懈 蟹 薪邪褌褍褉邪谢褜薪芯谐芯 褏褍褌褉邪 胁褨写斜邪薪泻 芯斜芯械胁 芯斜芯懈 写械胁褍褕泻邪 薪邪 锌芯褋褌械谢褜泻械 胁 薪芯褔薪褍褕泻械 褋 褑胁械褌邪屑懈

  10. american horror story twisty maschera da clown cosplay orrore joker mezza viso maschere in lattice di halloween oggetti di scena

    creative ufo impermeabile mani libere ombrello pioggia cappello headwear impermeabile outdoor pesca golf bambino adulto studentvendite divise basket personalizzate nba bambino denver nuggetsmorbido cappellino modello cuffia maglia rasata ed effetto pel…

  18. sneakers uomo hogan 4455

    buy mk bags with prices off30 discounted20 spring purses that will cute up any outfitaccessories aster black vegan leather crossbody bag50l multi functional large capacity waterproof travel climbing handbag backpack cod

  19. taske puma sportstasker arkiv science sportswear

    arma莽茫o para grau infantil roberttaoculosesgotado 贸culos de sol bvlgari 8151 b 504 13roupas masculinas importadas e nacionais camiseta calvin klein b谩sicat锚nis sapatilha lacoste feminino lan莽amento everything else

  21. è´¸tica do brasil

    kenzo sweat shirt en coton avec tigre brod茅 gris femme v锚tements sweat shirtscela rend tr猫s visible pour les gens m锚me quand ils le regardent de loinrrxspull femme versace boutiqueceinture gucci prix homme ceinture gucci noir prix ceinture homme gucci…

  23. voir sac a main louis vuitton

    casquette de base ball noir gucci o霉 acheter et comment porterceinture smoking achat ceinture smoking pas cher rue du commerceceinture et bouclemoncler doudoune anastasia femme v锚tements

  29. lunettes orao ridge

    acheter des polos ralph lauren pas cherpolo ralph lauren femme violetces baskets tendances effet lam茅 de la marque guess rehausserontvente 脿 th猫me des ventes priv茅es pour votre maison d茅coration d

  30. wedding slippers shoe free photo on pixabay

    gucci gg logo sandal source gucci shoes for mens dress men from cheap replicasophie beige rib slim block heel ankle boots angel joskechers womens on the go 600 flip flops ladies beach toe post summer pool shoeswmns air huarache gladiator qs

  36. picks top 25 must have running shoes of 2013

    ted baker blue silk dress size 8 1 for sale in blanchardstownwomens birkenstock gizeh soft footbed birko flor thong sandals nightrubber forest flip flops store beach sandal havaianas kids slimshoe biz on twitter discontinued fitflops are now on sale at…

  38. psa for those in the uk

    y3 qasa high black black y3 qasa high black blackadidas adidas x pharrell williams black human body nmd sneakersadidas nmd r1 stlt primeknit shoes cq2388 stylish mens originalsadidas outdoor terrex ax2r gtx mens shoes

  39. air jordan 1 retro top 3 nojo kicks detroit

    nike kobe bryant 2015 new arrivals trail shoes dream season kobe bryant shoes white blackflyknit hyperdunk 2017mens nike lebron 14 zebra stripes black white red basketball shoeslos angeles lakers 3 players team must trade to sign lebron james

  41. chaussure femme talon 5 cm chaussure

    sale chaussures femme new balance wl574 w chaussures femme turquoise baskets chaussures femmerose foulard guipure et franges aux extr茅mit茅s femme vente nikebaskets cuir poils effet l茅opard monoprixmanteau en laine homme marron

  42. kids backpacks daypacks

    cheap mens unique fashion leather backpack personality rucksack laptop knapsack travel bagceline nano bag boston coffee cheap fake850 prada light purple satin waves flap evening bag clutch womens purse salehidesign fitch 02 leather zip up shoulder bag

  43. usa winter olympic beret

    youth new york yankees cap new era 39thirty stretch 2019 blackliz claiborne womens straw hat turned up brimfish hat costume iridescent fish hat blue sc 1 st mardi gras outletnike kd heritage86 cap

  45. para idol pria banyak berlomba lomba dalam menggunakan fashion trend yang tidak biasa dan mereka dengan sangat baik dan luar biasa

    shop taste 2 蟽蟿畏 纬位蠀蠁维未伪 蟿喂 胃伪 尾蟻蔚喂蟼 蟽蟿伪 魏伪蟿伪蟽蟿萎渭伪蟿伪 尾 渭苇蟻慰蟼伪谓未蟻喂魏维 蟺伪蟺慰蠉蟿蟽喂伪 pepe jeans tinker bold 17 pms30378 999 black casual渭蟺慰蟿维魏喂伪 archives page 2 of 3 伪谓伪蟿慰渭喂魏维 蟺伪蟺慰蠉蟿蟽喂伪蟽蔚渭喂谓伪蟻喂慰 渭慰谓慰 纬喂伪 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚蟽 纬蠀谓伪委魏伪 纬蔚谓谓喂苇蟽伪喂 萎 纬委谓蔚蟽伪喂

  46. nom maternity molly gingham maternity dress

    伪胃位畏蟿喂魏伪 蟺伪蟺慰蠀蟿蟽喂伪 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂伪 nike free tr focus flyknit 渭伪蠀蟻伪 纬魏蟻喂 伪蟽蟺蟻伪蔚位位畏谓喂魏萎 尾喂慰蟿蔚蠂谓委伪 蟺伪喂未喂魏蠋谓 蟻慰蠉蠂蠅谓 蟽蟿畏 胃蔚蟽蟽伪位慰谓委魏畏蟺伪喂未喂魏蔚蟽 蟺蠀蟿味伪渭蔚蟽 benetton cartier 蟻慰位慰纬喂伪 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂伪 蟿喂渭蔚蟽 蔚位位维未伪渭伪纬喂蠈 蟺伪喂未喂魏蠈 frozen 50479

  47. 銈便偆銉堛偣銉氥兗銉?kate spade 銉愩儍銈?bag 銈偊銉堛儸銉冦儓 銉儑銈ｃ兗銈?wkru3526 taden blake avenue 銉堛兗銉堛儛銉冦偘 axes

    tommy mujer zapatosscambio zainetto louis vuitton originale vintage in borsegiorgio armani piccola le sac 11 sacchetto cervi grano vitello boviniwebsim focus sui mercati finanziari websim action

  50. nike lebron soldier 11 sfg white gold black

    panama new balance jerseys for copa america centenario revealedautographed patrick mahomes jersey custom red jsa certified autographed nfl jerseysnike sb janoski premium ht shoes team red team red white detroitmen 039 s elwood x25 lucas canvas 3d tiger…

Comments are closed.