Harmonic techniques of 20th century music

Author: (German) Walter Gieseler
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The author, Walter Gieseler, is a renowned German composer and music theorist, celebrated for his research on contemporary music composition theory and techniques. In this book, he examines and organizes the development of harmonic thinking in Western contemporary music over the past century, starting from the cultural-humanistic backgrounds and musical lineage of various creative schools in Western contemporary music. With a historical perspective and an objective approach as much as possible, he provides a concise introduction and summary of the main trends in harmony during the first half of the 20th century (free atonality, impressionism, and extended tonality). Through numerous examples from representative works of contemporary composers, he offers an in-depth yet accessible discussion of various harmonic phenomena reflected in the creative trends characterized by diversification in the second half of the 20th century (1960s–1990s). Among these, the analysis of several new harmonic concepts in contemporary music (such as tone clusters, harmonic fields, and sonic axes) and the introduction of new harmonic techniques (such as spectral music, microtonal music, and various modalized compositional methods) are rare in domestic professional literature and contain substantial information. Although not a systematic textbook on harmony, the book serves as "a robust foundation for learners to enable further reflection and continued development" (as stated by the author). For professional workers engaged in music composition and theoretical research, as well as teachers and students in music conservatories, it is an excellent reference book.