The Art of Post-Tonal Analysis: Thirty-Three Graphic Music Analyses

The Art of Post-Tonal Analysis is a book that explores thirty-three musical passages or complete short works in various post-tonal styles. It demonstrates the value of post-tonal theory in addressing these questions and revealing the fascination and beauty of this music. The works under study are taken from throughout the long twentieth century, representing a diversity of musical style, chronology, geography, gender, and race/ethnicity. The analytical argument is carried by musical examples, with rarely more than a few sentences of prose at a time. The book aims to create rich networks of relatedness, allowing our musical minds and musical ears to lead each other through this challenging and beautiful music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Art of Post-Tonal Analysis is a comprehensive exploration of thirty-three musical passages or complete short works, showcasing a diverse range of post-tonal styles. Author Joseph N. Straus delves into the intricate composition of each piece, providing insights into its structure and potential meanings. Through his analytical approach, Straus demonstrates the significance of post-tonal theory in addressing these questions and unveiling the captivating allure of this music. The works under examination span the entirety of the twentieth century, from 1909 to the present. Within the atonal wing of modern classical music, the composers discussed herein represent a rich tapestry of musical styles, chronologies, geographies, genders, and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Musical examples, accompanied by a companion website featuring analytical videos, serve as the primary vehicles for the analytical argument, with concise prose interspersed to elucidate the key points. Straus' approach can be characterized as transformational, rooted in a deep fascination with observing the growth, transformation, and flourishing of musical ideas. When dissimilar and potentially conflicting musical ideas arise, the book skillfully teases out subtle connections between them, fostering a rich network of relatedness. Above all, The Art of Post-Tonal Analysis aims to guide our musical minds and ears on a delightful journey through this intricate and captivating musical landscape, offering a multitude of enjoyable pathways for exploration.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 177 x 254 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197543986