9 May 2014, PhD defense, Lodewijk Muns

This thesis investigates the relation between language and Western classical music. It argues that the linguistic notions of syntax, discourse, and quotation are relevant for an understanding of this musical style. It also observes that both music and language display hierarchical structures that may be described as recursive. This perspective allows the theorist to reduce complexity to underlying uniformity – but it may also give rise to false abstractions, and to theoretical constructs of dubious explanatory value. This is observed in the musical theories of Hugo Riemann, Heinrich Schenker, and, most recently, Lerdahl & Jackendoff, as well as in Noam Chomsky's linguistic Minimalism.

For more information, consult Lodewijk Muns (lmuns at xs4all.nl).