The Role of the Listener in the Reconfiguration of the Sonic Experience

Abstract

The figure of the contemporary listener has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from a passive receptor to an active participant in the construction of musical meaning. This paper introduces the notion of the listener-operator, an extension of Adorno’s ideal types, to examine how listening has evolved towards more interpretative and participatory forms. Key moments in this process are analyzed, tracing the redefinition between music and audience —from groundbreaking artistic practices to contemporary approaches that emphasize the listener's creative role. The transformation of auditory experience is explored as a phenomenon that places the listener at the core of meaning-making, demonstrating that the disappearance of traditional codes is not a limitation but an opportunity to explore new modes of engagement with music.