A history of harmonic theory in the United States / David M. Thompson.

Author/creator Thompson, David M.
Format Book
Publication InfoKent, Ohio : Kent State University Press, ©1980.
Description207 pages : music ; 23 cm
Subjects
Harmony--History.
Music theory--History.

Contents Antecedents. European theories of harmony in the United States in the nineteenth century ; States in the nineteenth century ; The German theorists: Gottfried Weber, Ernst Friedrich Richter, Immanuel Faisst ; The Victorian theorists: Alfred Day, Rev. Sir F.A. Gore Ouseley, Ebenezer Prout -- Percy Goetschius. The theory of tone-relations ; Diatonic harmony, theory of harmonic progression ; Altered and mixed chords, modulation ; Nonharmonic tones -- An age of synthesis: 1897-1939. American harmony texts, 1897-1905: George Chadwick, Arthur Foote and Walter Spalding, Francis York, Benjamin Cutter ; Followers of Goetschius: Franklin Robinson, Donald Tweedy, George Wedge ; The problem of transient modulation -- An age of observation: 1939-1966. Walter Piston and his influence ; Continuation of the Goetschius tradition: Allen McHose ; The influence of Heinrich Schenker: William Mitchell, Allen Forte.
Abstract Harmonic theory as presently taught in American schools and conservatories is the result of a long developmental process. While earlier ideas of theory are recognized and even studied as discrete entities, the present work unites them in historical progression. Today's harmonic theory is seen as the result of a century and a half of evolutionary, sometimes revolutionary, development. This book traces this development from the first appearances of European harmony texts in the United States in the middle of the nineteenth century. The seminal influence of Percy Goetschius turned American theory to new directions, and since then many aspects of the field have been in constant states of change. A theory of harmonic progression was developed; various ideas to account for chromatic harmony were presented, considered, and rejected; the acoustical basis which had dominated the study of theory for more than a century gave way to an empirical basis concentrating on analysis of the music itself. The author provides a new understanding of music theory through a critical examination of the work of important American theorists and how they attempted to solve the problems as they saw them. Like all good history, this study helps today's musician, composer and student master current ideas through a study of their development out of, and relationship to, the past.
General noteIncludes index.
Bibliography noteBibliography: pages [200]-202.
Biographical noteDavid Thompson was Assistant Professor of Music at Kent State University.
LCCN 80082202
ISBN0873382463 :

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