Problematising the analysis of electronic music – a survey of proposals

Abstract

Electronic music is being subjected to musicological analysis increasingly often. However, neither the choice of tools and analytical methods nor the type of data included in the research ensures the acquisition of exhaustive knowledge about this music. The aim of this reflection is to draw attention to existing research trends in electronic music and to the causes of difficulties in selecting appropriate research strategies. In this context, an attempt is also made to identify the challenges faced by researchers analysing this music. The problematisation of the analysis of electronic music has been organised by distinguishing three core problems: the specific character of electronic music, taking into account its multimedia and multimodal nature and distinctive sound material; the idea behind analysis of this music; the achievements of researchers and the tasks faced by those undertaking the analysis of electronic music, taking into account the multiplicity of its genres and categories. These considerations are based both on the subject literature, already established in the field of musicology, and on selected recent monographs, as well as works published in specialist journals.