In this detailed and comprehensive study of concepts from Gilles Deleuze's philosophy of time, Tromans undertakes a series of practice as research projects that reformulate Deleuze's work via what Tromans calls a "musical-philosophical" practice. Tromans interweaves his own solo-piano improvisation and composition with analyses of his and others' works in improvisation and experimental musics, leading to the creation of new, interdisciplinary concept or conceptual practice that he calls Rhythmicity: a way to rethink the temporal in respect of how we model its movements and relationships. Through the models of temporal interaction devised via each project, Deleuze's concepts are transformed via their incorporation into the musical-philosophical mix. In addition, music improvisation and composition are shown to be utilisable for more than the making of music alone, with the thesis providing fresh insight for the fields of practice as research in music, Deleuze studies, experimental music, and Performance Philosophy in respect of its uniqueness of process and output.
Steve Tromans is a musician (pianist, composer) and an independent scholar working in the fields of practice as research and performance philosophy.
Chapter 1: Why Deleuze? Chapter 2: Philosophy, Music, and Rhythm Chapter 3: Difference and Repetition via Deleuze and the Deleuzian Chapter 4: Improvising Difference and Repetition (Project 1) Chapter 5: Rhythmicity: Difference, Repetition, and the Musical-Philosophical Chapter 6: The Fold and the Incompossible via Deleuze and the Deleuzian Chapter 7: In the Garden of the Incompossible (Project 2) Chapter 8: Rhythmicity: The Fold, the Incompossible, and the Musical-Philosophical Chapter 9: Deleuze and Chronos and Aion Chapter 10: The Time Is Out of Joint (Project 3) Chapter 11: Rhythmicity: Chronos, Aion, and the Musical-Philosophical
"This innovative and multidisciplinary work by scholar, jazz pianist, and composer Steve Tromans offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between music and philosophy. Through the original concept of Rhythmicity, the author investigates the intersections of music improvisation and composition with Gilles Deleuze's philosophy of time, creating a rich and complex dialogue that sheds light on both fields. This book will be of interest to anyone seeking new ways to think about the interplay of art, philosophy, and musical practice." -- Paulo De Assis, Orpheus Institute "This is an important contribution to the emerging field of artistic research. Through three ingeniously constructed research projects, Tromans explores the possibilities of music and philosophy as interacting modes of thought, in the process providing unique insights into Deleuze's theory of time and the interdisciplinary concept of rhythmicity. Essential reading for students of Deleuze, aesthetics and interarts collaboration." -- Ronald Bogue
