THE EXPERIENCE OF EXPOSURE TO THE THEORY OF MUSICAL CONTENT
The theory of musical content is the sole innovative discipline in 21st century Russian music theory. It has not yet received its de recognition in Russia and is virtually unknown in other countries. The author offers her original elaboration of the concepts of specialized and non-specialized musical content. The relevant definitions are as follows: musical content is the expressive-notional essence of music, specialized content is what is essential only to music, non-specialized content is present both in music and outside of it. Non-specialized content ideas, objects and human emotions are examined. Specialized content may be understood as the aesthetical harmony of the entire musical composition, from separate notes to the entire form. From a psychological position non-specialized content may be either negative (-) or positive (+). Their interaction may involve either accordance (+/+) or contradiction (-/+). The latter case creates a paradox, typical of many bright examples of artistic expression.