Alumni Day 2015 - Language of Music

Simon Morrison *97, Professor of Music, discusses attempts to turn spoken language into music, especially children’s spoken language, and how and why composers thought it important to try to do so. He approaches the debate that lies at the core of the effort: is it best, in order to feel music, to attach it to the word, or are its powers decreased by doing so? Presented as part of the "Academic Intersections: Princeton on Language" event on the occassion of the 100th Anniversary of Alumni Day.