Unraveling the Gordian knot: Multiple notions of contextualisation in music

Abstract

This study investigates three often overlapping and sometimes contradictory terms that define the re-performance/re-production of a musical work. Re-contextualisation and Trans-contextualisation are two theories that conceptualise repetition of music and De-contextualisation has been identified as a related procedure. Even though the terms have individual implications, frequently all have been used interchangeably. The overlapping terms provide confusing definitions which are then extended to additional designations in different modes of enquiry by various authors and researchers which can cause further perplexity. As a solution, this study attempts to untangle these confusions and focuses on introducing two new terms, Inter-contextualisation and Intra-contextualisation that will distinguish unique features of re-performance of music in different environments.