Twentieth-Century Harmony summary

Exploring Twentieth-Century Harmony

In Twentieth-Century Harmony by Vincent Persichetti, we delve into the intricacies of modern music theory. The book begins by distinguishing between traditional and contemporary harmony, emphasizing the latter's diversity and complexity. Persichetti then introduces us to the concept of interval, explaining its significance in the context of contemporary music.

He further discusses various scales, including the modes, whole-tone, and chromatic scales. He elucidates their unique features and their roles in shaping modern harmonic language. The author also explores the formation and use of chords, highlighting the prevalence of dissonance and its intentional use in contemporary harmony.

Chords and Harmonic Motion

Persichetti offers an in-depth examination of different types of chords, such as major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads, as well as seventh, ninth, and eleventh chords. He then delves into harmonic motion, discussing concepts like harmonic rhythm, dynamic sand ornamentation, and their interplay in shaping the progression of harmonies.

He also explores harmonic behavior in tonality, polytonality, atonality, and serial composition. He emphasizes the dissolution of traditional tonal centers and the emergence of new harmonic systems. Persichetti's analysis of these concepts sheds light on the radical shifts in harmonic language during the 20th century.

Advanced Harmonic Techniques

The latter part of the book delves into more advanced harmonic techniques. Persichetti discusses quartal and secundal harmony, highlighting their unique sound and their contributions to modern music. He also introduces polychords, their construction, and their role in expanding harmonic possibilities.

Furthermore, he explores the use of added-note chords, clusters, and tone clusters, emphasizing their dissonant and dense textures. He also discusses the concept of harmonic density, explaining how it contributes to the emotional impact of a musical composition.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Twentieth-Century Harmony by Vincent Persichetti provides a comprehensive overview of the harmonic language and techniques that defined 20th-century music. The book not only explores these concepts theoretically but also provides numerous musical examples to illustrate them.

Throughout the book, Persichetti emphasizes the evolving nature of harmony and the emergence of new tonal systems. He encourages readers to approach contemporary harmony with an open mind, embracing its dissonance, complexity, and diversity. Overall, Twentieth-Century Harmony is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the profound transformations that occurred in music theory during the 20th century.