Strauss among the Scholars: An International Forum

Magdalen College, Oxford
29 June-1 July 2007

Call for papers

The organisers are pleased to announce that Strauss Among The Scholars: An International Forum will take place at the University of Oxford between Friday 29 June and Sunday 1 July 2007. In spite of the fact that London hosted the world’s first Strauss festival (in 1903), and that British scholars have been at the forefront of research on the composer since then, no such academic gathering devoted to Strauss has been held in Britain before now. The principle aim of this conference, which appropriately is being held at the university that awarded the composer an honorary D.Mus (in 1914), is twofold:

• to reflect upon the recent developments in English- and German-language Strauss scholarship, and
• to create a space for dialogue and cross-fertilisation among the different interpretative traditions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ultimately, it is hoped that the conference will showcase a rich cross-section of the latest North American, British and German approaches toward Strauss, and that, at the start of the new century, scholars of all levels and backgrounds can profitably exchange ideas in an intimate setting.

The keynote addresses at the conference will be given by Professors Bryan Gilliam (Duke University) and Walter Werbeck (Universität Greifswald).

We invite speakers to present abstracts for papers on any topics related to Strauss’s music, life and times; those which address any of the following issues will be especially welcome:

• Historiography and reception history
• Methodological approaches to his late works
• Strauss and eighteenth-century music
• Critical analysis of performance traditions
• Strauss’s influence upon British composers
• Strauss’s poets and collaborators
• Strauss and film

Abstracts for thirty-minute papers should no longer than 300 words, and should be submitted by 10 November 2006 to David Larkin. Abstracts may be submitted in German: if so, an English translation should be provided. The primary language of the conference will be English. Proposals for panel sessions, lecture recitals or performances are also encouraged. A provisional programme will be drawn up early in 2007. The programme committee will include the following members:

• Professor Peter Franklin (St. Catherine’s College, University of Oxford)
• Professor John Williamson (University of Liverpool)
• Dr. David Larkin (Christ’s College, University of Cambridge)
• Mr. Matthew Werley (Magdalen College, University of Oxford)

Additional information will be posted on the conference website (forthcoming). This residential conference will be hosted by Magdalen College. Any questions should be directed to the conference organisers: Matthew Werley (Magdalen College, Oxford) and David Larkin (Christ’s College, Cambridge).

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