Dissertation Index



Author: McKee, Eric, J.

Title: The Interaction of Tonal Structure and Phrase Structure as an Aspect of Form in Tonal Music

Institution: University of Michigan

Begun: September 1989

Completed: April 1994

Abstract:

This dissertation develops a broad theoretical model of form in tonal music, one that takes Heinrich Schenker's theory of form as a starting point but also incorporates the best aspects of other theories, both earlier and later. Schenker's denigration of the thematic approach to form is set aside in order to avoid the fallacy that too many Schenkerian analysts have fallen into - namely, that of considering melodies and their repetitions as superficial detail, of interest only to the uninitiated, to be transcended as quickly as possible in favor of hidden substructures. Those substructures exist, but so do the melodies; part of the interest in any tonal composition lies in the dynamic interaction between the two. Following the work of William Rothstein, these two approaches are referred to as inner form (the substructure) and outer form (the melodic aspect) respectively. Chapters 2 and 3 explore each of these phenomena separately. The final section of the dissertation focuses on different types of dynamic relationships (supporting or contradictory) that exist between these two structures.

Keywords: form, Schenker, phrase structure

TOC:

1. TOWARD A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF FORM
Overview of Recent Literature
Problems in Defining a Formal Approach
A Preliminary Analysis
2. INNER FORM
Schenker's Conception of Musical Form:
One-Part Form
Song Forms
Two-Part Form
Three-Part Form
Sonata Form
Four-Part Form
Rondo
3. OUTER FORM
Phrase
Phrase Group
Section
Large-Scale Repetition
Thematic Contrast and Return
Formal Patterns of Outer Form
4. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INNER AND OUTER FORMS
Phrase Structure
Phrase Boundaries and Inner Form
Apparent Prolongation
Auxiliary Progressions
Chopin's Mazurka Op. 24, No. 1

Contact:

1931 Fairwood Lane, State College, PA 16803
E-Mail: ejm5@psu.edu>


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