Harmony in Mendelssohn and Schumann

A creative and accessible harmonic analysis of major works by key composers, demonstrating innovative methods in harmonic theory with sound examples.

David Damschroder (Author)

9781108406246, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 September 2019

292 pages, 102 music examples
24.5 x 17.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.7 kg

This innovative book continues David Damschroder's radical reformulation of harmonic theory, presenting a dynamic exploration of harmony in the compositions of Mendelssohn and Schumann, two key figures of nineteenth-century classical music. This volume's introductory chapters creatively introduce the basic tenets of the system, with reference to sound files rather than notated music examples permitting a more direct interaction between reader and music. In the Masterworks section that follows, Damschroder presents detailed analyses of movements from piano, vocal, and chamber music, and compares his outcomes with those of other analysts, including Benedict Taylor, L. Poundie Burstein, and Peter H. Smith. Expanding upon analytical practices from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and strongly influenced by Schenkerian principles, this fresh perspective offers a stark contrast to conventional harmonic analysis - both in terms of how Roman numerals are deployed and how musical processes are described in words.

Part I. Methodological Orientation: Harmonic Analysis through Listening: 1. Foundation diatonic processes
2. Surges
3. IV5-6 V
4. I5-6 II
5. Surging 6-Phase chords
6. Surges with ninths
7. Colorful variants of II
8. III along the path from I to V
Part II. Masterpieces: 9. Mendelssohn: Octet in E? Major (op. 20), Movement 1 in Response to Greg Vitercik and Benedict Taylor
10. Mendelssohn: song without words in F Major (op. 85/1) in response to Allen Cadwallader
11. Schumann: 'Warum?' from Phantasiestücke (op. 12) in Response to L. Poundie Burstein
12. Mendelssohn: song without words in A? Major (op. 53/1) in response to Yosef Goldenberg
13. Schumann: three songs from Liederkreis (op. 39) in Response to Charles Burkhart and David Ferris
14. Schumann: 'Im wunderschönen Monat Mai' from Dichterliebe (op. 48, no. 1) in response to Deborah Stein
15. Schumann: Sonata in A Minor for violin and piano (op. 105) in response to Peter H. Smith.

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH], Romantic music [c 1830 to c 1900 AVGC5], Classical music [c 1750 to c 1830 AVGC4], Music reviews & criticism [AVC], Theory of music & musicology [AVA]