Book Review
Jan. 18th, 2025 03:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariOn Music Theory, and Making Music More Welcoming for Everyone
By Philip Ewell
This book was precipitated by the storm that ensued after Ewell gave a presentation at the 2019 Society for Music Theory conference that addressed music theory's white racial frame and touched on Heinrich Schenker's racism. The Journal of Schenkerian Studies responded the following year with a very controversial and problematic issue responding to Ewell's talk. On Music Theory elaborates and enlarges on Ewell's talk and subsequent article, addresses the journal issue, and provides some recommendations for solving the problems he illuminates.
On Music Theory is an excellent, timely, and necessary book. Ewell is one of the best scholarly writers about music I've encountered. The way he lays out and progresses through his arguments is elegant, persuasive, and satisfying. I especially loved the more open, expansive, and inclusive vision for the study of music that he promotes. I want that. I will keep finding ways that I can help make it happen through my role as a music librarian.
By Philip Ewell
This book was precipitated by the storm that ensued after Ewell gave a presentation at the 2019 Society for Music Theory conference that addressed music theory's white racial frame and touched on Heinrich Schenker's racism. The Journal of Schenkerian Studies responded the following year with a very controversial and problematic issue responding to Ewell's talk. On Music Theory elaborates and enlarges on Ewell's talk and subsequent article, addresses the journal issue, and provides some recommendations for solving the problems he illuminates.
On Music Theory is an excellent, timely, and necessary book. Ewell is one of the best scholarly writers about music I've encountered. The way he lays out and progresses through his arguments is elegant, persuasive, and satisfying. I especially loved the more open, expansive, and inclusive vision for the study of music that he promotes. I want that. I will keep finding ways that I can help make it happen through my role as a music librarian.
