Eero Tarasti Book order

Existential semiotics is a new paradigm which combines classical semiotics with continental philosophy. It does not mean a return to existentialism, albeit philosophers from Hegel and Kierkegaard to Heidegger, Jaspers and Sartre are its sources of inspiration. It introduces completely new sign categories and concepts to the field, recasting the whole of semiotics, communication and signification as integral to a transcendental art. The volume contains essays on music, the voice, silence, calligraphy, metaphysics, myth, aesthetics, entropy, cultural heritage, film, the Bible, among other subjects.

Focusing on a novel approach to signs and communication, this book expands on existential semiotics by integrating insights from continental philosophy, including thinkers like Kant, Hegel, and Sartre. It also honors the legacy of European semiotics, particularly the Paris school, creating a bridge between philosophical thought and semiotic theory. This exploration offers a fresh perspective on how meaning is constructed and understood within human experience.

Exploring the emerging field of musical semiotics, this volume presents innovative solutions to understanding how musical meanings are created and conveyed, even in abstract works of Western classical music. By analyzing a range of compositions, including symphonies and operas, the author employs both established methods and introduces new analytical concepts to articulate deep musical significations. The work bridges semiotics and musicology, offering fresh insights into the relationship between musical signs and their meanings.

Exploring the impact of semiotics, this series delves into its application across various domains, including animal communication and media interpretation. It aims to bridge the gap between scholarly research and general interest, making complex theories accessible to students and non-specialists. Each peer-reviewed monograph contributes to a broader understanding of language and media, appealing to a diverse audience while maintaining academic rigor.

This book explores various theoretical and empirical approaches to music through a collection of essays. It begins with discussions on compositional theory, musical semiotics, and the philosophical underpinnings of musical interpretation. Notable contributions include reflections on the relationship between music and semantics, as well as the application of Hjelmslev’s glossematics to music. The text delves into the concept of musical works as signs, examining their significative constituents and structural layers. Empirical studies presented in the book investigate the meaning and behavior patterns in music interpretation and listening, alongside the genesis of musical signs. The evolution of art in relation to brain asymmetry is also explored, alongside a semio-psychological theory of communication in music. The impact of sensory experiences on musical performance and the significance of tempo deviations are analyzed, contributing to a deeper understanding of musical signification. The latter sections focus on analyses of musical styles and texts, addressing metaphor in music, performative acts, and narrative strategies in compositions. The book also examines the interplay between orchestration and form in specific works and the semiotic dimensions of various musical expressions. Overall, it provides a comprehensive examination of music through diverse theoretical lenses and empirical investigations.