Musicological Society of Australia 37th National Conference
“The Charisma of Dissonance”
29 Nov – 2 Dec 2014
CTM, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
Abstract submission deadline: 10 March 2014
Dissonance is integral to human experience. Awesome, beautiful, and
terrifying, it occurs in nature in the form of thunderstorms, tsunamis,
and earth tremors, and music is created in their honour. At the root of
communal human tragedies, dissonance leads to war, bloody revolution, and
terrorism, and music is performed for relief. Soul destroying and
depressive, dissonance occurs in interpersonal relationships through
intimidation, unrequited love, and death, and music is received as
cathartic. Vicariously we are charmed by the theatrical villain whose
dissonant behaviour encapsulates an intoxicating freedom that resonates
with the ego. Although typically considered undesirable – something to
avoid, escape or be freed from – without dissonance there is no
contrasting time of peace or joy. No need for music. From acts of
dissonance arise creative solutions, new technologies, new sounds, and new
ways of being. Without dissonance there can be no heroes and no history to
record and analyse. An essential component of musical creation, as both
sound object and programme material, the charisma of dissonance is
inescapable.
Individual papers which address this theme are warmly welcomed; however,
papers on other topics of current research are also invited, as are
proposals for panels of up to four papers on a common theme. In the
centennial year of the commencement of World War I it is anticipated that
several consecutive sessions will be devoted to the musical responses,
outcomes and products of a war that has historically – albeit
controversially – been described as "Great", and thus constitutes a
quintessential expression of the charisma of dissonance.
Proceedings
A fully refereed proceedings will be published. All presenters who address
the conference theme will be invited to submit articles for consideration.
Abstract Submission Procedure and further information is available at
http://msa.org.au/Main.asp?_=Conferences
All enquiries should be addressed to [log in to unmask]
Christine Mercer (Convenor)
Stephanie Rocke (Chair, Organising Committee)
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Stephanie Rocke
Secretary
Musicological Society of Australia
http://www.msa.org.au
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