Inaugural Lectures to launch with a musical exploration
Professor Kenneth Smith will kick off the School of the Arts’ Inaugural Lecture programme with an immersive exploration of musical form, feedback loops, and acceleration.
Taking place in the spectacular Tung Auditorium on 16th February 2023, this lecture will take as its case study Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor, a major work for piano in which short musical phrases constantly threaten to spin out of control, leading to an exponentially accelerating piece of virtuosic music.
No musical knowledge is required of attendees. Professor Smith’s analytical technique will be brought to life through his own real-time illustrations, and a performance of the full sonata by Professor Ian Pace of City University, London.
The talk takes place ahead of the launch of Professor Smith’s latest book, Listening to the Unconscious, in which the music theorist teams up with philosopher Stephen Overy to explore how our engagement with popular music – be that listening, producing or performing – impacts on the unconscious mind.
‘Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor: Musical Form, Feedback loops, and Acceleration’ is the first in a series of Inaugural Lectures which celebrates examples of excellence from Professors within the School of the Arts.
Further events are planned for the first half of 2023, showcasing the work and achievements of professors in Communication and Media, Architecture, and Music. Follow @sotauol on Twitter and Instagram for announcements as they happen.
‘Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor: Musical Form, Feedback loops, and Acceleration’ takes place in the Tung Auditorium, Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, on Thursday 16th February 2023 at 5:30 pm. Click here to register for a free place, which includes a wine reception.