Document Type

Book

Role

Author

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Standard Number

9781107100862

Publication Date

9-2015

Abstract

Although competitions in classical music have a long history, the number of contests has risen dramatically since the Second World War, all of them aiming to launch young artists' careers. This is not the symptom of marketization that it might appear to be. Despite the establishment of an international governing body, competitions are plagued by rumors of corruption, and even the most mathematically sophisticated voting system cannot quell accusations that the best talent is overlooked. Why do musicians take part? Why do audiences care so much about who wins? Performing Civility is the first book to address these questions. In this groundbreaking study, Lisa McCormick draws from firsthand observations of contests in Europe and the US, in-depth interviews with competitors, jurors and directors, as well as blog data from competition observers to argue that competitions have endured because they are not only about music, they are also about civility.
    • The first academic study to examine classical music competitions from a sociological perspective
    • Provides a unified history of the emergence of classical music competitions, including a previously unpublished record of historical membership in the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC)
    • Based upon firsthand observations, as well as interviews and conversations with participants about sharing their personal experiences and opinions

Download

Share

COinS