Musical performance as interpretation: Crossed interrogations of musicology and sociology

Abstract

This paper, based on sociological work carried out into performance and performers,
offers reflection into the tools available to the researcher. It attempts to demonstrate
the importance of associating sociological and musicological perspectives, when
performance is viewed as a process of (re)creation in action. This will lead to an
investigation of methods and tools from the two disciplines concerned, musicology
and sociology: is an intimate knowledge of the musical field and material necessary?
Which tools should be used or developed? How can the artistic work be analyzed
alongside the elaboration of “the work itself”, to use the words of Howard S. Becker?
Based on researches in progress as well as concrete questions raised by such
collaboration, we hope to offer some elements of epistemologic reflection.