Studies on Soundscapes of Polish Cities. The Case of Wroclaw
Studies on Soundscapes of Polish Cities. The Case of Wroclaw

Summary/Abstract: The Soundscape Of Cities Is A Subject Of Research Of Various Disciplines, E.G., Acoustics, Cultural Anthropology, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies, Sociology, Musicology. Whereas The Representatives Of Other Sciences Concentrate On Non-Musical Phonic Elements Which Co-Create The Audio Sphere Of Towns, Phenomena Of The So-Called Melosphere Or The Characteristic, Significant Sphere, Singled Out By Men From The Sound Background, Are In The Center Of Interest Of Musicologists. The Aspect Of Significance In The Above Definition Has A Strict Musical Reference, But Also A Social One. It Concerns Significances And Values Of The Melosphere As Cultural Transmission. Research On These Phenomena Covers Not Only Its Documentation But Also An Identification Of The Phonic Identity Of The City. Studies On Functional And Axiological Aspects Of Musical Sounds In The City Space Require Taking Into Consideration Their Reception By Inhabitants Of The Town Which Is Examined Through Interviews. The Presented Assumptions Are, E.G., Program Guidelines Of The Studio Of Research On Soundscape In The Institute Of Cultural Studies At The Wroclaw University. The Scope Of Its Activities Is To Record The Phonic Phenomena During Field Research Conducted In The Area Of Lower Silesia With Its Capital In Wroclaw And To Investigate A Problem Of Cultural Identity Of This Region In The Context Of Phonic Experiences Of Its Residents. Much Store Is Set By Music Which Is Connected With The Given City Through Its Historic Or Ethnic Tradition (For Example Bugle-Call, City Folklore) As Well As By Music Performed On The Streets By Foreign Musicians.

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