Neoclassicism

Summary

Dominique Pagani distinguishes neoclassicism from classicism: classicism is conservative, neoclassicism is reactionary. He makes it, within modernity, the antonym of romanticism1. He places the Parnassians and art for art's sake under this term, and he sees the current vogue for the baroque as an example of the same movement2. In music, he connects it with Stravinsky: playing what is written, putting an end to subjectivism, claiming a sonic objectivity that gives new value to timbre3. He regards Boulez's discourse as the caricature of the anti-romantic neoclassicism of that period4. In his view, the critique of neoclassicism in music makes it possible to divide up real history. He adds that behind neoclassicism lies contempt for the masses5. In these passages, the concept thus serves both to characterize an aesthetic position opposed to romanticism and to name the social and political attitude it conceals.

1. 1#2 Harnessed to confinitude30 Mar 2020 · 58:44
2. 2#2 Harnessed to confinitude30 Mar 2020 · 1:02:27
3. 3#8 Happiness and unhappiness in music11 Jan 2021 · 1:20:52
4. 4#8 Happiness and unhappiness in music11 Jan 2021 · 1:51:10
5. 5#14 Mozart once more7 Feb 2021 · 48:53

Summary produced automatically from 5 of the passages below, to be reviewed; the numbers link to the moment in the session.