In the Middle of the Field Arvo Part and the Pursuit of popularity, Prestige, and Authenticity

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

Second Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Miles, Stephen

Keywords

Part, Arvo, Culture, Authenticity, Popular Culture, 20th Century Music

Area of Concentration

Music

Abstract

The music of Arvo Part is paradoxical. His works are created using constructivist techniques, yet they are regarded as highly expressive, even spiritual. His music has been praised by academic elites and is also popular with a mass audience. These paradoxes of reception are examined in this thesis using the sociological theories of Pierre Bourdieu, Howard S. Becker, and Richard Peterson. Particular attention is given to the shaping of perception by critics and styles that predate Part, musical analyses of Part's works, the placement of Part's works in the field of cultural production (in both the 'art' and 'commercial' spheres), and the implications of Part's work for the field of musical production. Part's music is found to contain a mixture of both traditionally tonal elements and constructivist features, characteristic of the twentieth century. It is argued that this 'modernizing' of tradition is what has made Part successful both commercially and artistically.

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