This is, quite simply, the best musical analysis textbook I've seen. The theories are presented comprehensively and clearly, and are illustrated through numerous examples. The narrow focus on the instrumental music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven means that the theories can be based firmly on describing characteristic elements of this specific body of work, rather than presenting a prescriptive essence of what the forms "should" look like.
As a result, this text is extremely practical and useful in understanding the compositions of these three composers. And, because of their tremendous influence on subsequent composers, I have found the theories to be helpful in analyzing western "art" music into the late Romantic period.
The focus on practical, descriptive theories and applying them to numerous musical examples has also paid some unexpected dividends--it turns out that elements of these theories are useful in analyzing music in other idioms, like pop music. For example, it is often easy to find presentation, continuation, and transition functions in Max Martin pop songs, perhaps with a restive "pre-core" at the beginning of the bridge. Parts may be relatively "tight knit" or "loose knit". The sections with transition functions may be based on material from the "main theme" or new material. The "recap" after the bridge may omit or compress material to avoid repetition but still give a sense of "return". There might be a coda that refers back to material not seen since the introduction, to tie up loose ends. And so forth.
I highly recommend this textbook to any serious student of music interested in learning more about western "art" music.
ISBN-13:
978-0199987290
ISBN-10:
0199987297
Why is ISBN important?
ISBN
Scan an ISBN with your phone
Use the Amazon App to scan ISBNs and compare prices.
This bar-code number lets you verify that you're getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. The 13-digit and 10-digit formats both work.
Use the Amazon App to scan ISBNs and compare prices.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club?
Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
-
Apple
-
Android
-
Windows Phone
-
Android
To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Videos
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
Nothing is presented in excess and it does a great job acting as a relevant theory review and all ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2015Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Shikin
Understanding long form tonal structures.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2021Verified Purchase
T. Robertson
Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2016Verified Purchase
Thomas Weiss
Super!!!!!!!!
Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2016Verified Purchase
check this out
recommended fro a musician
Reviewed in India on September 20, 2017Verified Purchase
Javier Canseco
Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on December 9, 2017Verified Purchase
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
