International Music Theory Congress at the Mozarteum University

20.09.2022

News

The leading umbrella organization for music theory in Europe, the Gesellschaft für Musiktheorie (GMTH), meets at the Mozarteum University and addresses current issues. In addition to renowned speakers such as Robert Hatten (Austin/Texas), Otfried Büsing (Freiburg), Cosima Linke (Saarbrücken), Ulrich Kaiser (Munich), Christian Utz (Graz), and Martin Rohrmeier (Lausanne), who will present their latest work, students will also have the chance to present their projects.

GMTH Congress 2022: MODELS
September 30 - October 2
Mozarteum University

Music theory as a lively and inspiring subject

Music is an artistic question or message, a mystery to be deciphered. Craftsmanship: How do you compose a sonata in the style of Viennese Classicism? Analytically: How can the mystery be traced? Historically: How did Mozart learn to compose and what can we learn from him? Scientific: Music is always a testimony of its time, and a variety of approaches and methods are needed to gain insight into it - what can these look like? These are the questions that the discipline of music theory addresses both within and outside its pedagogical sphere at a music university. The subject, which one might still know as a series of dry compulsory subjects, has properly moulted in the last two decades. It is open to artistic questions of all kinds and offers an extremely versatile approach to music with "diverse" answers, but also new questions. Music theory as a discipline thus builds bridges between musicology, research and musical practice, between pedagogy, historical as well as contemporary composition and improvisation. It encompasses an enormously multifaceted and widespread canon of subjects that is needed at every music education institution. Not only do more than 200 participants from German-speaking and international countries prove that music theory is a lively, inspiring subject that is colorful and anything but dusty. The GMTH congress also shows that music theory is constantly reinventing itself artistically, scientifically, pedagogically and institutionally, questioning its methods and striving to integrate new media and modern technical developments such as Artificial (Artistic) Intelligence. Under the somewhat abstract theme of "Models" and self-deprecating subtitles, the event will feature lectures, workshops, panel discussions ("Battaglia"), presentations of new computer-based approaches ("Lab"), and even a master class. Leading international researchers will present their latest work and students will also have the opportunity to present their projects. The special feature of GMTH's topic selection is that everyone can apply anonymously with a presentation, whether students or international greats: The only thing that counts in the selection is the quality, not the name. Public events presenting the impressive artistic results of music-theoretical work - the dates: The supporting program of this year's annual congress of the Gesellschaft für Musiktheorie (GMTH) is intended to explore, in view of the congress theme "Models", the field of tension between composition as "historical syntax" and "real" composition. Where does composition begin, where is it "only" composition? Do both belong to art or is there such a thing as "mere craftsmanship"? Does a large transitional area exist, or can composition and composition be clearly separated? - Concert "Young Mozart" Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, 8 p.m., Solitär, Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, Mirabellplatz 1, admission free Do you recognize a piece by Mozart among works by music theory students of the Mozarteum and other music universities? Under the title "Young Mozart", students present their own works composed in the classical style of music of the middle (and late) 18th century. Mixed in will be an original composition by Wolfgang Amadé Mozart. During the concert, the audience is allowed to vote via app which of the pieces is the original one. The "resolution" will only take place at the end of the evening… - Keynote "Models in New Music" Saturday, 1.10.22, 9.30-11.00 a.m., Solitär, Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, Mirabellplatz 1, admission free The keynote consists of two impulse lectures on typical turns and models in new (post-tonal) music. This will be followed by a discussion between the panel and the audience. - "Improvisation Competition and Award Ceremony" Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and award ceremony 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, Mirabellplatz 1, admission free Every year, the GMTH hosts an artistic competition to promote young talent for students. This year it is dedicated to the theme of improvisation. The final round and the award ceremony will take place live during the congress. Similar to the concerts of the supporting program, the contributions move in an open spectrum between style-bound and "artistic freedom". - Concert "Between style-bound composing and avant-garde" Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, 8 p.m., Solitär, Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, Mirabellplatz 1, free admission This concert offers you several opportunities to approach the questions posed at the beginning with a listening, curious, critical ear. Five composers and music theorists employed at the Mozarteum will present you with compositions that could not be more different. The above-mentioned events can be attended with free admission. Registration is required for participation in the other events of the congress: https://www.gmth.de/veranstaltungen/jahreskongress/anmeldung.aspx

To the entire program