Peter Edwards

Peter Edwards is Professor of Musicology at the University of Oslo, specializing in music philosophy, aesthetics, and twentieth-century music. His research examines György Ligeti's works, musical modernism, and opera studies, with particular focus on postmodern aesthetics and musical temporality.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Musicology, University of Oslo, 2012
• M.A. (Cand. Philol), University of Oslo, 2005
• Computer-based Music Production, Norwegian Academy of Music, 2002-2003
• B.Mus., London College of Music, 1996-1999

Research interests center on musical modernism, compositional analysis, and the intersection of music with philosophical concepts. He investigates temporal structures in works by Ligeti, Bartók, and contemporary composers, exploring how music expresses historical consciousness and futurity.

Publications analyze Ligeti's opera 'Le Grand Macabre', concerti, and theoretical writings. Recent work examines musical representations of death, irony in performance, and critical approaches to musical slapstick.

Supervises master's theses on diverse topics including Wandelweisser, jazz improvisation, and funeral music. Leads PhD projects on music cognition and musical gestures.

Teaches graduate courses on theories of knowledge, music analysis, and twentieth-century music history. Collaborates internationally with institutions including Columbia University and the University of Athens.