New Periodicals

This semiannual column lists newly issued periodicals; describes their objectives, formats (e.g., print or electronic), and contents; and provides information about special issues, title and format changes, mergers, and cessations. Future columns will examine topics related to full-text electronic journals in music, means to their access, and an evaluation of content and presentation when purchased through publishers, aggregators, and database vendors.

The Journal of Film Music. Editor: William H. Rosar. 4 issues per year. Vol. 1, no. 1 (summer 2002). Subscription: The Journal of Film Music, 112 Harvard Avenue, #223, Claremont, Calif. 91711. Individuals: $55 (North America). Institutions: $100 (North America). Outside North America: add $20.00 for postage. Single issues: $30.00. ISSN: 1087-7142. Print format. For further information, or to request a preview copy, contact Leslie Andersen, Managing Editor, landerse@csulb.edu

We have witnessed a blossoming of the scholarly literature on film music of late. Note the significant number of monographs on film music study and analysis published by our trade and university presses, such as Music and Cinema (ed. James Buhler, Caryl Flinn, and David Neumeyer [Hanover, N.H.: Wesleyan University Press, 2000]), Film Music: Critical Approaches (ed. K. J. Donnelly [New York: Continuum, 2001]), and Soundtrack Available: Essays on Film and Popular Music (ed. Pamela Wojcik and Arthur Knight [Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2001]), to name but a few. The singular efforts of the Film Music Society (www.filmmusicsociety.org) must also be recognized. Established in 1982 to identify and preserve film music scores, promote film music collections, and publish articles on film music through their journal The Cue Sheet, this consciousness-raising organization has no doubt saved countless film music manuscripts from destruction. Simultaneously, the musicological canon has expanded and interdisciplinarity has been nurtured in academe, thus allowing film music study to move toward center stage from its former marginalized position.

The Journal of Film Music is a new periodical devoted to scholarship on the history, theoretical analysis, appreciation, and criticism of film music. The editorial board is impressive, including the key figures in the fields of film music study, music theory, film study, and musicology. The editors state that while film music scholarship is currently represented in a wide array of publications throughout many disciplines, its interdisciplinary nature has necessitated sharing the spotlight in publications devoted to a wider audience. The Journal of Film Music, then, aims to further film music study by providing a forum where the "interdisciplinary work of film music studies can flourish."

The inaugural issue, scheduled to appear in summer 2002, includes a critical review of the literature of film music authored by Robynn J. Stilwell (Georgetown University). Charles Leinberger (University of Texas at El Paso) examines "Thematic Variation and Key Relationships: Charlotte's Theme in Max Steiner's Score for Now Voyager." Book reviewers for this issue include music theorist and film music specialist David Neumeyer (University of Texas at Austin) and musicologist Linda Schubert. Forthcoming special issues will be devoted to composer Bernard Herrmann, film music aesthetics, and music in Czech films. The content of The Journal of Film Music promises to be unique in its analytical and scholarly focus, in contrast to several Web-based film and television music periodicals which combine trade information, feature articles, soundtrack reviews, online stores, technology columns, message boards, links to other Web sites, flashy advertising, and all we would expect to find in periodicals packaged as part of a glossy .com Web site with products to sell. Web sites such as Film Score: The Online Magazine of Motion Picture and Television Music Appreciation (www.filmscoremonthly.com), Film Music: The Professional Voice of Music for Film and Television (www.filmmusicmag.com), and SoundtrackNet: The Art of Film and Television Music (www.filmmusic.com) will no doubt retain their niche for devotees and film music professionals. The Journal of Film Music, however, demonstrates a depth of perspective on and respect for film music as an art, as seen through the eyes of those versed in music theory and composition...