Music > Theory > Postmodern Theory
Postmodern Theory in music represents a departure from the formal structures and strict rules that defined earlier musical traditions. With an origin in the latter half of the 20th century, this theoretical framework emerged as a reaction against the modernist emphasis on progress, coherence, and absolute truths in art. Postmodern music theory, therefore, often eschews the hierarchy and elitism associated with traditional Western music theory.
Core Tenets of Postmodern Theory in Music:
Anti-essentialism and Pluralism: Postmodern music embraces a wide variety of styles and influences, rejecting the notion that any single style or approach is superior. This leads to the inclusion of genres previously considered outside the scope of “serious” music, such as popular, folk, and non-Western musical traditions.
Collage and Pastiche: Works in postmodern music often utilize techniques of collage and pastiche, blending elements from multiple sources and styles. This can result in compositions that are highly eclectic and sometimes intentionally disorienting.
Questioning of High/Low Art Distinctions: Postmodernism challenges the dichotomy between “high” art (classical music) and “low” art (popular music). This incorporates influences from media, technology, and everyday life into compositions traditionally regarded as elite or academic.
Deconstruction: Postmodern music often deconstructs traditional forms and conventions, exposing their underlying assumptions and sometimes subverting them. This may be done through the use of unconventional scales, rhythms, and tonal systems.
Intertextuality: This concept, borrowed from literary theory, is central in postmodern music. Composers might reference or recontextualize existing works, inviting the audience to make connections between the old and the new. This can create layers of meaning and irony within a single composition.
Emphasis on the Listener’s Experience: Rather than focusing solely on the composer’s intentions, postmodern theory often centers the listener’s experience and interpretation. The meaning of a piece can be seen as fluid and subjective, shaped by individual perception rather than fixed by composer dictates.
Examples and Applications:
John Cage: Perhaps one of the most famous figures associated with postmodern music, Cage’s work often revolved around chance operations and ambient sounds, subverting traditional notions of musical structure and composition.
Minimalism: Composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass might be seen within a postmodern framework due to their simplification of musical elements and repetitive structures, although minimalism itself is also considered a reaction against both modernism and traditionalism.
Eclectic Fusion: Bands such as the Kronos Quartet, which integrates classical forms with global music traditions, embodies the postmodern ethos of inclusivity and interdisciplinarity.
By embracing complexity, contradiction, and a multidimensional approach to meaning, postmodern music theory provides a flexible framework for understanding contemporary music’s diverse practices and cultural nuances. This theoretical perspective not only democratizes music composition but also enriches the listening experience by allowing for multiple interpretations and a deeper engagement with the interpretive act itself.