Musics with and after Tonality: Mining the Gap

This book explores 20th-century music that straddles tonal and serial styles, incorporating elements of both. It offers a deeper understanding of these musics through analytical, cultural, creative, and performance perspectives, featuring works by composers such as Frank Bridge, Ferruccio Busoni, and Alexander Scriabin.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume explores a fascinating era in music that emerged at the turn of the 20th century, defying traditional tonal and serial conventions. These musical works, known as metatonal, straddle the boundaries between these categories, combining elements of both tonality and serialism in unique and innovative ways. The composers and their works featured in this book are approached from various analytical, cultural, creative, and performance perspectives by musicologists, performers, and composers. This multidisciplinary approach aims to provide a deeper understanding of these metatonal musics for scholars and students alike.

The composers and their works considered in this volume are diverse and representative of the era. Some notable figures include Frank Bridge, a British composer known for his impressionistic and romantic compositions; Ferruccio Busoni, an Italian composer who incorporated elements of jazz and modernism into his works; Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, a Lithuanian composer who explored the boundaries of tonality and serialism; Rebecca Clarke, a British composer who composed experimental and avant-garde works; John Foulds, a British composer who was influenced by folk music and the natural world; Percy Grainger, an Australian pianist and composer who specialized in folk music arrangements; Mary Howe, a British composer who composed choral and orchestral works; Carl Nielsen, a Danish composer who was renowned for his symphonic and chamber music; Franz Schreker, an Austrian composer who explored the expressionist and impressionist styles; Erwin Schulhoff, a German composer who incorporated elements of jazz and modernism into his works; Cyril Scott, a British composer who composed choral and orchestral works; and Alexander Scriabin, a Russian composer who was known for his use of chromaticism and serialism.

By delving into the compositions and perspectives of these composers, this book offers a rich and multifaceted exploration of music at the turn of the 20th century. It provides valuable insights into the creative processes, cultural influences, and technical challenges faced by these artists, shedding light on the evolution of musical language and its impact on the world of music. Whether you are a music enthusiast, scholar, or student, this book will undoubtedly enrich your understanding of this fascinating period in musical history.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032182865