Riemannian theory
Riemannian theory in general refers to the musical theories of German theorist Hugo Riemann (1849–1919). His theoretical writings cover many topics, including musical logic,[1] notation,[2] harmony,[3] melody,[4] phraseology,[5] the history of music theory,[6] etc. More particularly, the term Riemannian theory often refers to his theory of harmony, characterized mainly by its dualism and by a concept of harmonic functions.
Dualism
Riemann's "dualist" system for relating triads was adapted from earlier 19th-century harmonic theorists. The term "dualism" refers to the emphasis on the inversional relationship between major and minor, with minor triads being considered "upside down" versions of major triads; this "harmonic dualism" (harmonic polarity) is what produces the change-in-direction described above. See also the related term Utonality.[7]
Transformations
In the 1880s, Riemann proposed a system of transformations that related triads directly to each other. Riemann's system had two classes of transformations: 'Schritt' and 'Wechsel'. [7] A Schritt transposed one triad into another, moving it a certain number of scale steps. For example, the 'Quintschritt' (literally "Fifth-step" in German) transposed a triad by a perfect fifth, transforming C Major into G major (up) or F major (down). A Wechsel inverted a triad according to the Riemann's theory of dualism, mapping a major triad to a minor triad. For example, Seitenwechsel ("die Seiten wechseln" translates as "to change ends") mapped a triad on to its parallel minor or major, transforming C major to C minor and vice versa. [7] Riemann's theory of transformations formed the basis for Neo-Riemannian theory, which expanded the idea of transformations beyond the basic tonal triads that Riemann was mostly concerned with.
See also
Sources
- ↑ Musikalische Logik. Hauptzüge der physiologischen und psychologischen Begründung unseres Musik-systems, Leipzig, 1873.
- ↑ Studien zur Geschichte der Notenschrift, Leipzig, 1878; Die Entwickelung unserer Notenschrift, Leipzig, 1881; Notenschrift und Notendruck, Leipzig, 1896.
- ↑ Skizze einer neuen Methode der Harmonielehre, Leipzig, 1880; Handbuch der Harmonielehre, Leipzig, 1887; Vereinfachte Harmonielehre, London/New York, 1893.
- ↑ Neue Schule der Melodik, Hamburg, 1883.
- ↑ Katechismus der Phrasierung, Leipzig, 1890, 2d edition Vademecum der Phrasierung, 1900, 8th edition as Handbuch der Phrasierung.
- ↑ Geschichte der Musiktheorie im IX.-XIX. Jahrhundert, Berlin, 1898.
- 1 2 3 Klumpenhouwer, Henry, Some Remarks on the Use of Riemann Transformations, Music Theory Online 0.9 (1994)