Postmodern music - Kramers music theory.

Jonathan Kramer's 16 postmodern music theories:

1. is not simply a repudiation of modernism or its continuation, but has aspects of both a break and an extension
2. is, on some level and in some way, ironic
3. does not respect boundaries between sonorities and procedures of the past and of the present
4. challenges barriers between 'high' and 'low' styles
5. shows disdain for the often unquestioned value of structural unity
6. questions the mutual exclusivity of elitist and populist values
7. avoids totalizing forms (e.g., does not want entire pieces to be tonal or serial or cast in a prescribed formal mold)
8. considers music not as autonomous but as relevant to cultural, social, and political contexts
9. includes quotations of or references to music of many traditions and cultures
10. considers technology not only as a way to preserve and transmit music but also as deeply implicated in the production and essence of music
11. embraces contradictions
12. distrusts binary oppositions
13. includes fragmentations and discontinuities
14. encompasses pluralism and eclecticism
15. presents multiple meanings and multiple temporalities
16. locates meaning and even structure in listeners, more than in scores, performances, or composers

Since discussing Jonathan Kramer's throeies in class, i am now going to apply these to a variation of artists songs to identify how their choices of layered sounds create a new brand of music.

This is Aaliyah - Are you that somebody - produced by Timberland



Throughout this song Timberland has chosen to encorporate a baby gurgling in the backing track as well as vocal tics. I interpret this as ironic as the American culture often call each other 'baby' which is also included in these lyrics. Whether this is deliberate or not it adds an element of irony and humour.

2.is, on some level and in some way, ironic

13. includes fragmentations and discontinuties

14. enco,passes pluralism and eclectism



Karlheinz Stockhausen - Helicopter String Quartet



This piece of music by Stockhausen i find largely inspiring and enjoyable to listen to. I feel that the additional element of the helicoptor made the piece contemporary as well as creating additional elements that in their own way related to clasical music. For instance i felt that the continuous and accurate pace of the helicoptor was as effective as a metronome used to keep the pace and timing for music.

Alvin Lucier - Im sitting in a room