Chi ha paura della critica musicale?

Music criticism plays a fundamental role in the musical ecosystem, acting as a mediator between musicians, their works, and the audience. Yet, to date, scholarly interest in this field remains surprisingly limited. This article aims to advance the discourse by exploring key philosophical tensions that shape the practice of music criticism. The discussion begins by examining biases that have historically undermined critics' credibility among both the public and musicians. Distinctive aspects of the critic's role are analyzed, particularly the relationship between criticism and journalism, musicology, and the specific expertise necessary for effective music criticism. The final section addresses a central dilemma in music criticism: balancing objectivity and subjectivity in musical evaluation. If musical perception is inherently subjective, why should a critic's opinion carry more weight than anyone else's? [Publisher's text]