Talk in German
Guest: Alessandro Bertinetto
Moderation: Mathias Maschat
The Italian philosopher and improvisation theorist Alessandro Bertinetto is our guest in the seventh edition of the imp[or]trait series. Together with the Italian pianist and philosopher Marcello Ruta, he published the 750-page Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Improvisation in the Arts last year. It comprises almost 50 articles by internationally renowned authors that philosophically illuminate the phenomenon of improvisation from various perspectives. Theoretical as well as aesthetic, ethical and political aspects on the one hand meet concrete discussions with the practical arts on the other. Throughout, improvisation is seen as an essential element of artistic creativity, even as a pre-eminent quality and key to understanding art and performance in general. Numerous core questions about the understanding of improvisation are taken up and discussed.
In conversation with Mathias Maschat, Alessandro Bertinetto presents the handbook. Together they discuss some of the topics and issues raised. So if you are interested in an insight into different concepts and theories about improvisation, this evening is the right place for you!
Alessandro Bertinetto is Professor of Philosophy and Aesthetics at the University of Turin and one of the most distinguished and versatile authors about improvisation. In addition to the Routledge Handbook, he has previously published a variety of texts on the subject, including his books Eseguire l’inatteso. Ontologia della musica e improvvisazione (2016) and Estetica Dell’improvvisazione (2021); Wilhelm Fink Verlag is currently publishing the English translation of this last book, Aesthetics of Improvisation.
“Practically everyone who has lately thought theoretically about improvisation has contributed to this volume, and just about everything one ever wanted to know about improvisation but dared not hope to see answered is here addressed. Suffice it to say that the editors have here done an incalculable service to this burgeoning field of research.” (Jerrold Levinson, University of Maryland)
Entrance fee: 5 €
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j801Ycsn5kA
