The Notion of an Imaginary Space in Music: Interpreting Mozart's Requiem in Liturgical, Denominational, and Secular Contexts

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Taking its point of departure in the traditional musicological question of how to
understand the notion of the “musical work” – in terms of its – visible – notation
or its – invisible – performance? – this article discusses the consequences of new
listening practices for historical compositions of liturgical texts in other religious
or secular contexts than the original. The article raises the question, what this
may mean for the understanding of the musical work. Based on a philosophical
idea expressed by the Danish theologian-philosopher K.E. Løgstrup, this leads to
notions of different imaginary (and thus invisible) musical spaces connected to
what is traditionally understood as one musical work. Along the way, Mozart’s
Requiem (1791) and its reception history are used as the overarching example.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIn-visibility : Reflections upon Visibility and Transcendence in Theology, Philosophy and the Arts
EditorsAnna Vind, Iben Damgaard, Kirsten Busch Nielsen, Sven Rune Havsteen
Number of pages21
Place of PublicationGöttingen
PublisherVandenhoeck & Ruprecht
Publication date2020
Pages339 - 359
ISBN (Print)978-3-525-55071-7
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-647-55071-8
Publication statusPublished - 2020
SeriesRefo500 Academic Studies
Volume18

ID: 251025823