Structural Functions of Harmony
Structural Functions of Harmony by Arnold Schoenberg, published by W. W. Norton & Company in 1969, is a revised edition that spans 203 pages. This book presents a detailed exploration of harmonic theory, beginning with a recap of principles from Schoenberg’s earlier work, Theory of Harmony. It then delves into innovative analyses of key relationships within entire movements, emphasizing the concept of “monotonality” and how modulations function as deviations rather than negations of the main tonality.
Readers will find that the text is supported by numerous music examples, including sections from classical symphonies and analyses of harmonic progressions by notable composers such as Strauss, Debussy, and Schoenberg himself. The final chapter, titled “Apollonian Evaluation of a Dionysian Epoch,” addresses contemporary music and the potential for new harmonic analysis methods. This edition includes corrections, a new preface, and an index of subject headings, making it a valuable resource for those studying music theory and its evolution over the past two and a half centuries.
Official synopsis Publisher
The earlier chapters recapitulate in condensed form the principles laid down in his Theory of Harmony; the later chapters break entirely new ground, for they analyze the system of key relationships within the structure of whole movements and affirm the principle of “monotonality,” showing how all modulations within a movement are merely deviations from, and not negations of, its main tonality.
Schoenberg’s argument is supported by music examples, which range from entire development sections of classical symphonies to analyses of the experimental harmonic progressions of Strauss, Debussy, Reger, and Schoenberg’s own early music. The final chapter, “Apollonian Evaluation of a Dionysian Epoch,” discusses the music of our time, with particular reference to the possibility of new methods of harmonic analysis.
Structural Functions of Harmony is a standard work on its subject and provides an invaluable key to the development of musical structure during the last two hundred and fifty years. This new edition, with corrections, a new preface, and an index of subject headings, has been prepared under the editorial supervision of Leonard Stein.
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