musicology
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musicology
The academic discipline concerned with the study of music in all its aspects, including its history, theory, aesthetics, and cultural significance.
Sie studiert Musikwissenschaft an der Universität in Berlin.
She studies musicology at the university in Berlin.
The word is clearly composed of 'Musik' (music) and 'Wissenschaft' (science/academic discipline). So it literally refers to the academic discipline concerned with music.
Die Musikwissenschaft untersucht auch die soziale Funktion von Musik.
Musicology also examines the social function of music.
The pattern '[topic] + -wissenschaft' is very productive in German for naming academic disciplines. Other examples are 'Literaturwissenschaft' (literary studies), 'Sprachwissenschaft' (linguistics), or 'Politikwissenschaft' (political science).
An vielen Universitäten kann man Literaturwissenschaft studieren.
At many universities, you can study literary studies.
The most common and important verb combination is 'Musikwissenschaft studieren' (to study musicology). The word is almost always used in the context of universities and research.
Mein Bruder möchte nächstes Jahr Musikwissenschaft studieren.
My brother wants to study musicology next year.
music history
'Musikgeschichte' and 'Musikwissenschaft' both have to do with academic thinking about music. But 'Musikgeschichte' is narrower: it is mainly about the development of music, periods, composers, styles, and instruments. 'Musikwissenschaft' is broader. It studies music in general, including theory, meaning, culture, and many other questions. The words can be confused because music history can be part of musicology. When it is about the past of music, 'Musikgeschichte' fits. When it is about the entire university subject, 'Musikwissenschaft' is more precise.
Julian studiert Musikwissenschaft und verbringt viel Zeit in der Bibliothek.
Julian studies musicology and spends a lot of time in the library.
Im Kurs lernen wir, warum Bach für die Musikgeschichte so wichtig ist.
In the course, we learn why Bach is so important for music history.