<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Is it possible to discover the critical realist foundations of Gestalt theory in Berlin comparative musicology (<italic>vergleichende Kunstwissenschaft</italic>) associated above all with Erich M. von Hornbostel? The balance of natural science explanation and phenomenal experience is a useful model for overcoming Eurocentrism in comparative ethnomusicology, relying both on third-person tools and indigenous music systems. This paper uses Gestalt critical realist epistemology and methodology and a portrayal of the strata making up the understanding of a musical act with chemico-physical, phenomenal and cultural components to create an “amphibian” ethnomusicology. Using this framework it is possible to understand Hornbostel and Sachs’ musical instrument classification system and Hornbostel’s account of “primitive” music as strata in a Gestalt explanatory system. The potential binding agent through the strata is isomorphism.</p>
</abstract>

Is it possible to discover the critical realist foundations of Gestalt theory in Berlin comparative musicology (vergleichende Kunstwissenschaft) associated above all with Erich M. von Hornbostel? The balance of natural science explanation and phenomenal experience is a useful model for overcoming Eurocentrism in comparative ethnomusicology, relying both on third-person tools and indigenous music systems. This paper uses Gestalt critical realist epistemology and methodology and a portrayal of the strata making up the understanding of a musical act with chemico-physical, phenomenal and cultural components to create an “amphibian” ethnomusicology. Using this framework it is possible to understand Hornbostel and Sachs’ musical instrument classification system and Hornbostel’s account of “primitive” music as strata in a Gestalt explanatory system. The potential binding agent through the strata is isomorphism.

Critical Realist Foundations for Berlin Comparative Musicology(<italic>vergleichende Musikswissenschaft</italic>)

Gestalt Theory

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Critical Realist Foundations for Berlin Comparative Musicology()

Is it possible to discover the critical realist foundations of Gestalt theory in Berlin comparative musicology (vergleichende Kunstwissenschaft) associated...

Critical Realist Foundations for Berlin Comparative Musicology(vergleichende Musikswissenschaft)

Published Online: Aug 30, 2023

Page range: 85 - 100

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gth-2023-0013

Keywords
Gestalt theory, critical realism, Erich M. von Hornbostel, Ethnomusicology, Berlin School of Comparative Musicology

© 2023 Ian Verstegen, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Critical Realist Foundations for Berlin Comparative Musicology(vergleichende Musikswissenschaft)

Published Online: Aug 30, 2023

Page range: 85 - 100

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gth-2023-0013

KeywordsGestalt theory, critical realism, Erich M. von Hornbostel, Ethnomusicology, Berlin School of Comparative Musicology

© 2023 Ian Verstegen, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Gestalt theory, critical realism, Erich M. von Hornbostel, Ethnomusicology, Berlin School of Comparative Musicology