Essays from the Fourth International Schenker Symposium

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This book is the second volume of essays from the Fourth International Schenker Symposium at Mannes College, featuring two main sections: one focused on Heinrich Schenker as a historical figure and the other on Schenkerian analyses. The first section explores Schenker's life and distinguishes him from the theoretical system he created. The second section presents various essays that engage with concepts like formal function, Sonata Theory, set theory, and hermeneutics, reflecting the current pluralistic nature of Schenkerian scholarship. This modern approach often incorporates a diverse range of repertoires and analytic methods, moving beyond Schenker's original framework. Notably, the analytic essays treat compositions as timeless artworks, mirroring Schenker’s own practices. The volume includes contributions from various scholars, addressing topics such as Schenker's moral views on music, his correspondence, and specific analytical challenges in works by composers like Chopin, Brahms, Ravel, and Scriabin. Each essay contributes to a broader understanding of Schenkerian analysis and its evolution, emphasizing both historical context and contemporary relevance.