About Richard Taruskin
U.S.A. / b. April 2, 1945
Musicologist and Critic
Professor Emeritus
The University of California, Berkeley
Dr. Richard Taruskin is a musicologist and critic who has defied conventional critical paradigms, transforming contemporary perspectives on music through his historical research and essays. He argued that contemporary performances of early music were not true examples of "authenticity" but rather reflections of late 20th century aesthetics. He has said that no rigorous analysis of musical texts can ever really reveal the true intentions of the composer, which must remain a "mystique." This argument influenced the performance world of early music. His revolutionary method of analyzing original compositions alongside studies of contextual circumstances has reflected his extensive knowledge of history, culture, politics, art, literature and religion.
His widely acclaimed books include The Oxford History of Western Music, the most extensive overview of Western music history ever written by a single author. The quality and volume of his work reveal that in music, creativity can be found not only in composition and performance, but also in meticulous discourse contextualizing the art. A native of New York City, Dr. Taruskin, 72, has received numerous prizes and honors, including the Dent Medal and the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award.
2016 Kyoto Prize Commemorative Lecture presented by Richard Taruskin
Lecture by Richard Taruskin
Kyoto Symposium Events at USD
Dr. Richard Taruskin Presentations
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Join us as Dr. Richard Taruskin delivers two lectures on
Thursday, March 22, 2018
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Shiley Theatre, Camino Hall
Free admission. RSVP required.
Register for Kyoto Prize Symposium.
And
2 p.m.
Shiley Theatre, Camino Hall
Free admission. RSVP required.
Register for afternoon session.
Free and open to the public.
Reservations are required.
