Ep 10 - Susan McClary - Conventional Wisdom: The Content of Musical Form

In this  episode of Reviving Virtue, host Jeffrey Anthony engages in a profound conversation with esteemed musicologist Susan McClary on the intricate relationship between music, culture, and society, including the influence of cultural norms and capitalist structures on tonality. Drawing on his experiences as a music analyst at Pandora Radio, Jeffrey provides a nuanced perspective on the Music Genome Project's role in democratizing music discovery and the potential unforeseen drawbacks. The discourse takes a deeper turn as they address the controversial subject of cultural appropriation in music, with McClary offering keen insights into the ethical implications. They further examine the link between the Enlightenment's rationality and the evolution of musical tonality, underlining the era's significant impact, epitomized by Arcangelo Corelli around 1700. This episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration and reevaluation of music's socio-cultural dimensions, making it an essential listen for those intrigued by the confluence of music, culture, and society.

Topics covered in the podcast:

• The cultural analysis of music
• The impact of societal norms and practices on musical forms and genres
• The Music Genome Project and its role in democratizing music discovery
• The contentious topic of cultural appropriation in music
• The relationship between the Enlightenment, its rationality, and the evolution of tonality
• The cultural constructiveness of music
• The role of the black church and music in maintaining community identity
• The dynamic between the individual and the group in the communal expression of music
• The creation of a shared moral narrative through music
• The impact of music on our bodies, our emotions, and almost everything
• Book recommendations based on this episode:

1. "Conventional Wisdom: The Content of Musical Form" by Susan McClary https://bookshop.org/a/94644/9780520232082
2. "Feminine Endings: Music, Gender, and Sexuality" by Susan McClary https://bookshop.org/a/94644/9780816641895
3. "Love & Theft" by Eric Lott https://bookshop.org/a/94644/9780195320558

Further Info:

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Music by Jeffrey Anthony