Dissertation Index
Author: Jacobus, Enoch S. A. Title: A New Geometric Model and Methodology for Understanding Parsimonious Seventh-Sonority Pitch-Class Space Institution: University of Kentucky Begun: May 2011 Completed: October 2012 Abstract: Parsimonious voice leading is a term, first used by Richard Cohn, to describe non-diatonic motion among triads that will preserve as many common tones as possible, while limiting the distance traveled by the voice that does move to a tone or, better yet, a semitone. Some scholars have applied these principles to seventh chords, laying the groundwork for this study, which strives toward a reasonably comprehensive, usable model for musical analysis. Rather than emphasizing mathematical proofs, as a number of approaches have done, this study relies on two- and three-dimensional geometric visualizations and spatial analogies to describe pitch-class and harmonic relationships. These geometric realizations are based on the organization of the neo-Riemannian Tonnetz, but they expand and apply the organizational principles of the Tonnetz to seventh sonorities. It allows for the descriptive “mapping” or prescriptive “navigation” of harmonic paths through a defined space. The viability of the theoretical model is examined in analyses of passages from the repertoire of Frédéric Chopin. These passages exhibit a harmonic syntax that is often difficult to analyze as anything other than “tonally unstable” or “transitional.” This study seeks to analyze these passages in terms of what they are, rather than what they are not. Keywords: Neo-Riemannian Theory, Seventh Chords, Parsimonious, Pitch-Class Space, Tonnetz, Chopin TOC: I. Front Matter A. Acknowledgements B. List of Tables C. List of Figures D. List of Musical Examples E. List of Files II. Chapter 1: Scholarly Context A. Introduction B. Historical Perspective C. Neo-Riemannian Theory 1. Abstraction 2. Exclusion 3. Speculation 4. Other 5. Conclusion III. Chapter 2: Conceptual Dichotomies A. Parsimony vs. Extravagance B. Horizontality vs. Verticality C. Extrapolation vs. Interaction 1. Extrapolation 2. Interaction IV. Chapter 3: Theoretical Methodology A. Introduction B. Sonority Geometries C. Sonority Networks in Two Dimensions D. Sonority Networks in Three Dimensions V. Chapter 4: Analytical Applications A. Introduction B. Chopin, Mazurka, Op. 7, No. 2 C. Chopin, Mazurka, Op. 68, No. 4 D. Chopin, Prelude, Op. 28, No. 4 E. Chopin, Prelude, Op. 28, No. 6 F. Chopin, Nocturne, Op. 27, No. 2 G. Wagner, Prelude to Act I, Tristan und Isolde VI. Chapter 5: Conclusions and Further Research A. Introduction B. Examination of Non-Contiguous and Deeper-Level Structures C. Exploration of Other Composers’ Approaches D. Integration of Triadic Structures into the Lattice E. Prescription for Composition and Improvisation F. Summary VII. Back Matter A. Appendix B. Bibliography C. Vita Contact: enochobus@gmail.com, 859.537.6660 |