Das „Foltersystem historischer Kritik“ : Zum Verhältnis von Musikwissenschaft und Geschichtsforschung

The disciplinary tradition of musicology has been divided, from the outset, between historical and systematic aspects, prolonging the ancient conflict between the physical and sensorial aspects of music. In an ongoing process of diversification (synonymous with destabilisation in a minor discipline like musicology), history lost the central position claimed for it in the founding era. Yet this tradition is itself inconsistent given the permanent conflict between aspects connected to history and those connected to the fine arts. Ultimately, this article considers the productive impulse that might be provided by a new and fundamental rapprochement between musicology and history. This productivity and potential is discussed using several potential examples.