Moving beyond motion: metaphors for changing sound

Adlington, R. (2003) Moving beyond motion: metaphors for changing sound. Journal of the Royal Musical Association, 128 (2) pp. 297-318. ISSN 0269-0403 (print) 1471-6933 (online)

Abstract

This article argues that music offers experiences of change that are at odds with our common understanding of time. Specifically, I question the widespread belief that onward motion is a condition of musical temporality. I approach this issue through metaphor theory, which tends to argue for the necessity of metaphorical experiences of time and music in terms of motion. I argue that music's changing sound evokes a variety of bodily metaphors; motion is not ever-present, but intermingles with metaphors of heat, light, weight, tension and so on. Works by Ligeti, Carter, Kurtág and Saariaho are discussed as case studies.

Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.1093/jrma/128.2.297
Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Musical temporality, understanding of time, metaphor theory, bodily metaphors
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > ML Literature on music > Philosophical and societal aspects of music. Physics and acoustics of music. Physiological aspects of music > Aesthetics M Music and Books on Music > ML Literature on music > History and criticism > Composition and performance Music aesthetics
Division:	Musicology
Depositing User:	Robert Adlington
Date Deposited:	25 Oct 2022 11:24
Last Modified:	20 Oct 2023 10:32
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1093/jrma/128.2.297
URI:	https://researchonline.rcm.ac.uk/id/eprint/2226

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