Musicologica Austriaca (Apr 2023)
“Austrian Popular Music Studies”: A Critical Assessment
Abstract
This article aims to provide an overview of the research field of Austrian popular music studies. It outlines the main topics, perspectives, and concepts in regard to popular music from and in Austria and reflects on blind spots and starting points for further research. The discussion incorporates an overview of university teaching about popular music in Austria, an analysis of relevant platforms and publications, and a critical reflection on the role, responsibilities, objects, and aims of Austrian popular music studies. The article argues for increased scrutiny of overly narrow varieties of music historiography and of hegemonic structural conditions of music making in connection with gender and regional cultural policy. Moreover, it suggests widening the field’s scope to include music reception and aesthetics and fostering praxeological research and music-analytical approaches. Ultimately, the article expresses the necessity to more strongly channel ideas, interests, and knowledge in the research field of popular music in Austria in order to enhance visibility, take a stronger stance in cultural discourse, and much more systematically and distinctly examine the different values, meanings, and experiences of past and present popular music in Austria. previous article back to index
