Performing Civility
International Competitions in Classical Music

Lisa McCormick considers the history of classical music competitions and their role in society today by examining highlights and controversies.

Lisa McCormick (Author)

9781107498297, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 June 2017

301 pages, 7 b/w illus. 9 tables
23 x 15.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.45 kg

'The author moves thoroughly through different kinds of data (newspaper articles; official competition documents; blogs; interviews with competitors, audience members, and jurors); in that sense the book is a real labor of love, highly detailed and a great entry point for those interested in the study of music competitions, the sociology of music, and the 'strong program' in cultural sociology.' Claudio E. Benzecry, American Journal of Sociology

Although competitions in classical music have a long history, the number of contests has risen dramatically since the Second World War, all of them aiming to launch young artists' careers. This is not the symptom of marketization that it might appear to be. Despite the establishment of an international governing body, competitions are plagued by rumors of corruption, and even the most mathematically sophisticated voting system cannot quell accusations that the best talent is overlooked. Why do musicians take part? Why do audiences care so much about who wins? Performing Civility is the first book to address these questions. In this groundbreaking study, Lisa McCormick draws from firsthand observations of contests in Europe and the US, and in-depth interviews with competitors, jurors and directors, as well as blog data from competition observers to argue that competitions have endured because they are not only about music, they are also about civility.

Introduction
1. The rise and near demise of the international music competition
2. Competitions enter the civil sphere
3. Narrating the competition
4. The presentation of musical self
5. Producing sound judgments
6. Voicing opinions
Conclusion: what is the future of music competitions?
Appendix A. Selected competitions: facts and figures
Appendix B. Membership of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), 1957–2012
Appendix C. Putting the 'performance perspective' in perspective.

Subject Areas: Social theory [JHBA], Sociology [JHB], Social issues & processes [JFF], Popular culture [JFCA], Cultural studies [JFC], Society & culture: general [JF], Music [AV], Performance art [AFKP]