Includes bibliographical references (pages 277-291) and index.
Contents:
Pierre Schaeffer, the sound object and the acousmatic reduction -- Myth and the origin of the Pythagorean veil -- The baptism of the acousmate -- Acousmatic phantasmagoria and the problem of technê -- Kafka and the ontology of acousmatic sound -- The acousmatic voice -- Acousmatic fabrications : Les Paul and the 'Les Paulverizer'.
Summary:
"Sound coming from outside the field of vision, from somewhere beyond, holds a privileged place in the Western imagination. When separated from their source, sounds seem to manifest transcendent realms, divine powers, or supernatural forces. According to legend, the philosopher Pythagoras lectured to his disciples from behind a veil, and two thousand years later, in the age of absolute music, listeners were similarly fascinated with disembodied sounds, employing various techniques to isolate sounds from their sources. With recording and radio came spatial and temporal separation of sounds from sources, and new ways of composing music."--book jacket.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.