Principles of Music History

One focus of musicological research is concerned with the history of socio-cultural meanings of music-related perspectives and practices. Fundamental requirements for this are a broad concept of music and a departure from conventional patterns of discussing musical masters or heroes. Even identifying research subjects is not dictated by their proximity to the traditional cult of genius, but rather by the appropriate questions – even everyday and household objects can facilitate insights relevant to music history. From a methodological perspective, this understanding of music history is related to the field of the cultural studies, from which some categories of consideration (space, memory, identity, etc.) have been borrowed. Therefore, an essential feature of this focus is gaining interdisciplinary knowledge.