Relative Diatonic Modality in Extended Common-practice Music

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Date

2019-07

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[Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University

Abstract

Diatonic modes reemerged in the nineteenth century as an extension of common-practice tonal harmony. The existence of many potential tonics within a single diatonic scale creates a rich ambiguity between “relative modes,” which I theorize as relative diatonic modality. A note’s relation to the tonic is represented by scale degrees, and diatonic positions represent the analogous relation to the diatonic scale. The concept of diatonic positions is drawn from la-based minor solfège, which is widely used in music education but not in music theory. In relative diatonic modality, the fuzziness of scale degrees combines with the clarity of the diatonic scale to create a restful centric and harmonic pluralism; and this kind of relational richness and experiential pluralism are simply unavailable in the major and minor modes alone. Ordered chronologically from the early nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century, five case studies explore the theoretical ramifications and analytical fruits of relative diatonic modality. The first case study introduces Reicha’s “new harmonic system,” one of the first experimental theories in the 1800s to discuss diatonic modes. With a focus on Beethoven’s Heiliger Dankgesang, the second case study examines the seeming ability of the lydian mode to conform to common-practice harmony. The third and fourth case studies explore diatonic-modal music inspired by the French chant revival and English folk-song revival, respectively. The last case study focuses on the rare, dissonant locrian mode and its peculiar treatment in the twentieth century. Two threads run through all five case studies: (1) the dynamic balance between multiple tonics and a single scale that relative diatonic modality engenders; and (2) the rich compositional treatments that composers find when availing themselves of these special harmonic and melodic resources.

Description

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, 2019

Keywords

diatonic, modes, scale, music

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Doctoral Dissertation