Theodor W. Adorno (1903-1969) is one of the most representative German philosophers of the 20th century and of the so-called Frankfurt School. Amongst the main topics of his critical thinking is aesthetictheory, which he developed in particular in a great number of hisessays on music. By dealing mainly with AdornoÆs theory of music andmusical performance, the essays collected in this book offer criticalinsights not only into his approach to music, but also his philosophyas a whole. AdornoÆs theory of music and musical performance does notmerely exemplify his aesthetic theory, but, rather, plays an essential role in the development of it and of his critical approach to culture and society. (Introduction) Mário Vieira de Carvalho is Professor of Sociology of Music and Chairman of the Research Centre for Aestheticsand Sociology of Music (CESEM) at the Universidade Nova, Lisbon.
