The canon of electroacoustic music – a possible concept?

Canonicality is one of the most intensively debated issues in cultural sciences. However, the historical development of the word “canon” experienced different meanings under which there are the metaphors of a list and of a standard. Also in the history of electroacoustic music, some compositions of the past received a very high level of recognition and a special status for being essential. Therefore, a canonic concept implies an exclusion of other artworks which are not regarded for being essential. Because of this subjective selection, it is worthwile to indicate it in the designation. But given the emerged juridical significance of the word “canon”, its further application as a linguistic term could be an obstruction to this which is why other expressions like “classics” or “anthology” should be under consideration as substitutes.