This article contains a short exposition of the historical development of the theory and aesthetics of music up to the establishment of the term “science of music” (Musikwissenschaft), due to G. Adler, and the foundation of musicology as a modern academic discipline (end of the 19th century). The main focus of the article is the division of musicology into historical and systematical branches, the problem of the division and correlation of their methodologies, and their relations to the academic curricula.The main contemporary systems for the division of musicology into branches are exposed, and the problems posed by the modern tendencies (historicism and empiricism) in musicology are briefly presented.
© Musicology