Counterpoint: The Polyphonic Vocal Style of the Sixteenth Century (Dover Books on Music) [Paperback]

Knud Jeppesen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 1992 | Series: Dover Books on Music

First paperback edition of classic introductory text by world-renowned musicologist and authority on Palestrina. Features history of contrapuntal theory, technical features, "species" exercises in 2-, 3- and 4-part counterpoint; canon, motet, Mass, more. Includes many musical examples. New foreword by Alfred Mann. Introduction.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English
Original Language: Danish

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; New edition edition (March 27, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048627036X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486270364
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Vocal

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic text now in an inexpensive and durable reprint!, December 2, 2005

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Counterpoint: The Polyphonic Vocal Style of the Sixteenth Century (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

I am delighted that this classic work is back in print and available in such an affordable and durable edition from Dover. There are many Dover editions of books and music in my library and every one of them has served me durably and well. You can buy this book more inexpensively through Amazon.com than I did it thirty years ago (it was $17.95 at Borders when it was on State St.).

Why is this book so important? Because it not only teaches species counterpoint in a way contemporary students can understand - focusing on the Palestrina style of the 16th century, it also provides a survey of the ways counterpoint has evolved from the ninth through the nineteenth centuries. There are also good exercises for students to work out. Now, Jeppesen has been criticized because Palestrina purists have noted some ways in which Jeppesen talks about the Palestrina style do not exactly match up with the master's works. Well, la de da. The fact is a style is a generalization, not a model that accounts for all practice.

If you were going to read only one book on counterpoint, and wanted one you could understand and get the most from, this is it. There are many others I would recommend strongly (including the Schenker book - but for other reasons), but this is a fabulous book of pedagogy and deserves to be read by every serious student of music.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST counterpoint book out there!, January 14, 2005

By 

Phil Maris (Palm Springs, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counterpoint: The Polyphonic Vocal Style of the Sixteenth Century (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

First of all, skip any of those counterpoint books that push that Schenkeian drivel on you. Jeppesen's book is pure and straighforward- no baloney!

There are so many superior features to this book that it's difficult to choose what to mention, so I'll just begin with the fact that you do NOT get flooded with more examples than you can possibly make use of. Jeppesen gives you exactly what you need, and streamlines his information to that which will teach you the 16th century style. He begins with a solid background in the history of music theory since the Middle Ages, which helps to understand not only the technical tools the 16th century style, but also the aesthetic objectives. How he breaks down the building of the melodic lines and the combining of the parts is surprisingly complete, considering the small size of this book. The language is quite dense, though, so it will take a few reads to reap the most benefits from this book. But it's more than worth the extra time!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn 16th century counterpoint, and not spend time going around in circles with a lot of self-serving verbiage.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend, August 23, 2004

By 

K. Jean "k313" (usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Counterpoint: The Polyphonic Vocal Style of the Sixteenth Century (Dover Books on Music) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for those who wish to learn counterpoint. It provides a history of counterpoint and uses the species approach of counterpoint which is in my opinion the best way to get a comprehensive step by step, thorough grasp on the concepts of counterpoint. It is focused on counterpoint of the 16th century as the title indicates and is very similiar to Fuxs but is more in depth. Jeppesen explains about melody (particularly the practices of Palestrina) and writing without the cantus firmus using tequniques such as imitation dimmunition and augmentation of a melody. Definately a "must have" for those interested in counterpoint.