Ernst Kurth on Form and Erformung

   

Join us for the first session of the spring quarter this year. Prof. Daphne Tan from Indiana University Bloomington will present on early-twentieth century music theory.

The session will take place in Logan 801, from 4:30 to 6 pm. Prof. Tan’s paper-in-progress can be found on the downloads page (see menu on the right).

Prof. Tan writes:

This paper investigates Ernst Kurth’s ideas about musical form as they are expressed in his final monograph, Musikpsychologie (1931). Under the purview of “form” falls much more than present-day treatments of the subject would suggest. Specifically, Kurth’s notion of Erformung (shaping) provides a crucial perspective from which to view his earlier analyses. Those familiar with Kurth’s prior treatises may recognize his trademark metaphorical concepts. Others may be surprised to discover that he addresses traditional Formenlehren and rhythmic theories head on. In light of the ideas Kurth presents in 1931, this paper looks back at his work in Bruckner (1925). It will also compare Kurth’s perspective with those of two well-known contemporaries: Alfred Lorenz and Hugo Riemann.