Musica ficta : theories of accidental inflections in vocal polyphony from Marchetto da Padova to Gioseffo Zarlino / Karol Berger.
| Author/creator |
Berger, Karol, 1947- |
| Format | Book and Print |
| Publication Info | Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1987. |
| Description | xvii, 266 pages : music ; 24 cm |
| Subject(s) |
Click here for more information about this title
| Contents | Part I. The content and structure of musica ficta. Within the hand ; Beyond the hand. The definition of musica ficta ; The notation and solmization of musica ficta ; The square [flat] and the diesis [sharp] ; The expanding limits of musica ficta ; The common and the unusual steps of musica ficta -- Part II. The functions and uses of musica ficta. Signatures -- Horizontal relations. The prohibition of the tritone and diminished fifth ; The method of avoiding the tritone and diminished fifth ; The non-harmonic relations introduced by internal accidentals and the method of avoiding them -- Vertical and cross relations. The prohibition of mi-against-fa discords ; The method of avoiding mi-against-fa discords ; The mi-against-fa discords introduced by internal accidentals and the method of avoiding them -- Contrapuntal progressions. Cadences ; The method of correcting cadences -- Canon and imitation -- Part III. Written and implied accidental inflections. Classes of accidental inflections in early vocal polyphony. |
| Abstract | The main purpose of this book is to clarify the meaning and use of the conventions governing the practice of implied accidentals in vocal polyphony from the early fourteenth to the mid-sixteenth century - a problem which has fascinated musicologists for over a hundred years now. Musicians of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance did not think it was necessary to write down all accidentals; since some accidental inflections were implied by the musical context, performers made them whether or not they were notated. This practice imposes on modern readers of early music sources, the task of supplying all such conventionally implied accidental inflections and the successful achievement of this task depends on a knowledge and understanding of the conventions involved. Since the practice of implied accidentals can be understood only in a wider context of compositional, notational, and performing practice of the period, the book attempts to throw light on some aspects of these practices as well. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 246-262) and index. |
| LCCN | 86031750 |
| ISBN | 0521328713 |
Available Items
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions | |
| Music | Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk | ML190 .B47 1987 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |