In this way, the form reflects patriarchal structure in society. McClary interprets the consolidation of the secondary theme into the primary theme as representative of the subjugation and domestication of the feminine by the masculine. This is consistent with de Beauvoir’s assertion that the masculine is the absolute type while the feminine is the other.

Sonata form historically has constructed gender by presenting the stronger primary theme as masculine and the lyrical, deviant secondary theme as feminine. This ending-the consolidation of the key and strong ending-functions as a satisfactory closure. At the end of the composition, the two themes are repeated, and the secondary theme takes on the key and strong cadence of the main theme. The secondary theme is more lyrical and, in the beginning of the composition, is in a different key. The primary theme is in the main key of the piece and has a strong cadence, or ending. There is a primary theme and a secondary theme.

Some background: Sonata form is a compositional style that usually involves two main melodies, called themes. One instance of this narrative that is prominent in McClary’s work is sonata form. So where do women fit in the “phallic economy” of Western classical music?Īccording to McClary, Western classical music is based on the narrative of the masculine conquering the feminine. In the context of Western tonality, femininity again is a deviation from the norm. McClary describes Western classical music as representative of male sexuality and sexual behavior. Her best known book is “Feminine Endings: Music, Gender, and Sexuality,” which refers to the masculine nature of Western classical music and the otherization of femininity.Īs Simone de Beauvoir wrote in her book “ The Second Sex ,” “There is an absolute human type, the masculine.” The masculine represents the standard, whereas the feminine is the deviant other. She taught music and musicology at University of Minnesota, McGill University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and University of Oslo before becoming Head of Musicology at Case Western Reserve University. from Southern Illinois University, and her M.A. Her work, though controversial, was some of the first to present a critique of Western classical music that considered the role of gender and sexuality.īorn in 1946, McClary received her B.A. Susan McClary is one of the most important musicologists responsible for introducing feminist critique to musicology. Image by McGill University via Youtube / CC BY 2.0

Susan mcclary feminine endings