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What are some philosophical stances on art and its purpose? I know this is a broad question, but any sources or thoughts would be great.

I am particularly interested in music.

An Individual
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    This book introduces Vienna and many important characters connected with it at a certain important time. Title: Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern : a companion to the second Viennese school, Author: Simms, Bryan R. , Publisher:Greenwood Press,Pub date:c1999. – Gordon May 11 '18 at 01:50
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    A classic, Adorno, Brecht et. al. https://www.versobooks.com/books/127-aesthetics-and-politics Going back: Plato-Republic-Artists; Forward: Wagner-Nietzsche (Wagner didn't need any help, so influence was from Wagner to Nietzsche, while it lasted). Post WWI "feel" perhaps listen to Berg's Wozzeck. Info: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/546852/summary – Gordon May 11 '18 at 01:58
  • I found this article tonight regarding Henri Bergson and possible influence on Schoenberg. http://www.mtosmt.org/issues/mto.15.21.4/mto.15.21.4.salley.html – Gordon May 11 '18 at 03:51
  • Art does not have a single purpose. Music can make you dance, but painting won't. – rus9384 May 11 '18 at 22:55

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Adorno might be interesting to you, but consider looking at certain composers who also “write” — Cage and Xenakis come to mind.

Attali’s Noise: The Political Economy of Music is also highly recommended in this vein.

Joseph Weissman
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I came up with a list of things that good music communicates. I'll repeat it here:

Beauty

Emotion (or drama)

Imitation (of nature)

Bigness (or awe)

Virtuosity (of the performer)

Practical social functions (like dance or work songs)

Unifying social functions (like anthems)

Memory (or recognition)

elliot svensson
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