Jean Molino

Professor at the University in Lausanne, semiologist

Teacher of Jean Jacques Nattiez

Analysis Introduced the idea of semiotic analysis on three
Semiologic Tripartition levels:

Poietic

Neutral

Esthesic

Molinos exempel Poietic level

A is to B like X is to Y
All aspects of the creation of music
Tennis is to Mozart like Ikea is to Norway
the creative process

writing down, learning

the cultural environment

 Analysis - poietic level The Music of the Time

Study of techniques/rules that define the poets techniques

activity at the time of the works creation strategies

Analysis of the strategies that the poet or the work the work
show to be relevant for the specific piece - create
techniques
a model for the works concpetion
strategies
Study of the composers intention/will to
communicate through the work

Reconstruct the works expressive meaning The works conception

Esthesic level Neutral level

Alla aspects of the reception of the piece

The trace
perception, cognition, interpretation (of the
listener) The neutral level is (the physical) trace of the
esthesic and poietic processes
consumption
The score, the music itself
reception history
 Analysis - neutral level The essence of the work...

...is at the same time:

You choose a method without consideration of its origin,
the poietic/esthesic levels and carry out the its structure,
analysis regardless of its outcome unless you and how its perceived
have reasons to reconsider your choice of
method Therefore an all encompassing analysis
method is necessary - musical semiology

1 Context 1 Context

3 Sender 2 Message 4 Receiver 3 Sender 2 Message 4 Receiver

5 Channel 5 Channel

6 Code 6 Code

Functions Examples of expressions with focus in different categories

1. referential (contextual information)
2. aesthetic/poetic (auto-reflection)
3. emotive (self-expression)
4. conative (vocative or imperative addressing of receiver)
5. phatic (checking channel working)
6. metalingual (checking code working)
1. referential - the autumn leaves have fallen
2. aesthetic/poetic shall I compare thee
3. emotive - wow!
4. conative - come inside and eat!
5. phatic - hello, bye, hmm
6. metalingual - a sentence without a verb
 Difference from
Communication Theory
Analysis on three levels

communication:
Easier to avoid the wrong conclusions based on
observations on the wrong level
sender message receiver
But neutral level remains central to the analysis!

semiology: Structural analysis appropriate (as long as it

composer music listener takes place on the neutral level)

Analysis
Neutral level
 Listening Parameters
Critical Listening vs.Analytical listening
Frequencies / spectra
Hierarchies of sound structures
Time / durations / articulations

Dynamics (absolute/relative)
Sound event and Sound object
Spatialization
Perspective and Focus

Steps Other considerations

Choose piece
Semiotic - What are the sounds? What do they
Identify all sounds and layers
signify?
Classify sounds Are they identifiable? (surrogacy)
Identify sections, structures, texts, and processes
Phenomenological How does the music sound?
Draw graphic score / timeline
Textual, Socio-political, etc
Identify relevant information
 Typical essay structure
Introduction

Examples Sound material

of analyses Form and structure

Space and timbre

Meaning / Reflection

Conclusions

Score example excerpts Assignment

Analyze an electroacoustic music work by doing the following:

Draw graphical score of the work

Write a 1000-word text that includes these three topics:

the works origin/composer

the works sounds, structure, meaning etc.

your personal reflection

Deadline: May 22 I want both text and score as file by e-mail (if you
have drawn by hand, please scan / photo your score)