Composition and Cognition - (Ernest Bloch Lectures) by Fred Lerdahl (Paperback)

About the Book

"In Composition and Cognition, famed composer and theorist Fred Lerdahl builds off the theoretical project that has occupied him for years: a comprehensive model of the cognition of tonal music. Bringing together his dual career in composition and music theory, he reveals how his work in music theory has served as a foundation for his compositional style and how his intuitions as a composer have guided his cognitively-oriented music theories. These theories, combined with related theoretical and empirical research, offer an overall picture of the musical mind that has implications for central issues in contemporary composition, including the recurrent gap between compositional method and perceived result, and the tension between cognitive constraints and utopian aesthetic views of musical progress. At times personal and reflective, Lerdahl's lyrical yet succinct volume will provide invaluable insights for students and instructors, composers, and musicians"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

In Composition and Cognition, renowned composer and theorist Fred Lerdahl builds on his careerlong work of developing a comprehensive model of music cognition. Bringing together his dual expertise in composition and music theory, he reveals the way in which his research has served as a foundation for his compositional style and how his intuitions as a composer have guided his cognitively oriented theories. At times personal and reflective, this book offers an overall picture of the musical mind that has implications for central issues in contemporary composition, including the recurrent gap between method and result, and the tension between cognitive constraints and utopian aesthetic views of musical progress. Lerdahl's succinct volume provides invaluable insights for students and instructors, composers and music scholars, and anyone engaged with contemporary music.

Review Quotes

"Fred Lerdahl's engaging new book is an example of something music theory might do more of: letting composers to talk seriously and personally about the ideas animating their music."-- "Music Theory Online"

About the Author

Fred Lerdahl is Fritz Reiner Professor Emeritus of Musical Composition at Columbia University. He is widely recognized both for his chamber music and orchestral compositions and for his writings in music theory and the cognitive science of music.