Theory Minor

Question 1

Ives Use of Dissonance

Answer 1

Programmatic Dissonance (Narrative function)
Non-functional
Overtly Experimental
Ex. Central Park in the Dark

Question 2

Bartok Use of Dissonance

Answer 2

Polymodal Chromaticism

Question 3

Pre-Serial Schoenberg Use of Dissonance

Answer 3

Recontextualizing of intervals used in non-tonal ways, but still rhetorically as consonance and dissonance
Deconstructs traditional hierarchies of tonal system but replaces it with other hierarchies
Op. 19 Piano pieces

Question 4

How many unique modes in the Whole tone, Octatonic and Major Scale

Answer 4

Whole tone: 1
Octatonic: 2
Major Scale: 7

Question 5

How many unique transpositions (including identity) of Whole tone, octatonic and major scale

Answer 5

Whole tone: 2
Octatonic: 3
Major Scale: 11

Question 6

What is the all interval tetrachord

Answer 6

(0137)

Question 7

Characteristics of Messiaen’s Music

Answer 7

Use of birdsong
Ostinatos (infl. by medieval isorhythm)
Harmonic color using modes of limited transposition

Question 8

How did Messiaen influence later composers?

Answer 8

Minimalists: normalizing consistency (e.g. ostinatos)
Serialists: normalizing complexity and “randomness”
Thus his harmonic vocabulary, rhythm and non-european influence was influential on later composers, perhaps more than Schoenberg

Question 9

What was Schoenberg’s first fully serial piece

Answer 9

Suite for Piano Op. 25

Question 10

Characteristics of each member of 2nd viennese school

Answer 10

Berg: Tonally Referntial Serialism
Webern: Sculpted, austere, symmetrical serialism
Schoenberg: highly expressive atonal music that uses serialism/saturation for rhetorical purposes