Description |
1 online resource (viii, 225 pages) |
Series |
Eastman studies in music, 1071-9989 |
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Eastman studies in music.
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Contents |
The ancient Harmoniai -- The Tonoi -- Alypian notation -- Pythagorean harmonic ratios from the octave to the comma by continuous subtraction -- Boethius's error in the De institutione musica, 4.6 -- Aristoxenus's proof that the perfect fourth is the sum of two tones and a semitone -- Aristoxenus's anticipation of the logarithmic logic of musical cognition -- The three mathematical means in the theories of Euclid, Boethius, Glarean, and Zarlino -- Guido and the monochord -- Transposition and the doctrine of modal affinity -- The misunderstood Confinalis -- Reading the first quidam of the Alia musica -- The Prologus in tonarium of Bern of Reichenau: a translation -- Reading Hermannus -- Idealist and empirical perspectives in theories of the ecclesiastical modes |
Summary |
"Long recognized as a foundation of musical composition, criticism, pedagogy, and appreciation, the literature of ancient and medieval music theory has maintained its strong position in the academic curriculum up to the present day. Now blessed with fine English translations of many of the ancient and medieval authors, modern students of music theory have advantages that their predecessors lacked just a few generations ago. Yet the ancient writings by themselves do not yield to easy comprehension. They need expository help. In this collection of fifteen topical essays, the author offers a contribution to that educational goal. Covering a dense theoretical literature from the classical period of ancient Greece to the sixteenth century of the Common Era, these essays present a detailed examination of subjects of concern not only to specialists in the history of theory, but to scholars of the general history of ancient Greek music and the liturgical plainchant of the medieval West. BR>More than just a collection of specialized studies or a syllabus of obligatory learning, these essays present a persistent reflection on the timelessness of theoretical questions that engaged our musical forebears and that still engage us today. The author's approach is perennialist. It teaches us things about our musical heritage that never go away. EDWARD NOWACKI is Professor Emeritus of musicology at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati."-- Provided by publisher |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
Notes |
Print version record |
Subject |
Music theory -- History -- 500-1400.
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Music theory -- History -- To 500.
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Music, Greek and Roman -- History and criticism
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Medieval & Renaissance music (c 1000 to c 1600)
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MUSIC -- Instruction & Study -- Theory.
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Music, Greek and Roman
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Music theory
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Genre/Form |
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
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History
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Form |
Electronic book
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ISBN |
9781787449169 |
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1787449165 |
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