Sixteenth-Century Polyphony: A Basis for the Study of Counterpoint

Merritt, Arthur Tillman

ISBN 10: 0674810600 / ISBN 13: 9780674810600

Published by Harvard University Press, Boston, MA, 1939

About this Item

Hardcover. Condition: VERY GOOD. Book may have some wear on the cover. Book has no markings. There is slight yellowing of pages.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1784149742036

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sixteenth-Century Polyphony: A Basis for the Study of Counterpoint
• Publisher: Harvard University Press, Boston, MA
• Publication Date: 1939
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674810600
• ISBN 13: 9780674810600
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Dimensions: 5.75W x 8.5H x 1D inches 5.75 inches width by 8.5 inches height by 1 inches depth
• Weight: 14.11 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • music education
  • music book
  • nonfiction

About this title

Synopsis

Interest in counterpoint suffered greatly during the latter part of the eighteenth century and all through the nineteenth. At the present time, however, many of our foremost composers are doing their best compositions in this field. They have naturally not reverted to the exact type of counterpoint used during the highest period of its development in the sixteenth century; but the point of view is strikingly similar, namely, that one must look very carefully to one's strands of melody, and independence of rhythm is the thing that possibly counts most. The majority of composers and teachers now agree that for the beginner the study of sixteenth century technique is best. Professor Merritt therefore starts with Gregorian chant, which offers the finest examples of single excellent lines. Rather than make arbitrary rules as the older writers did, he simply tries to get the student into contact with the music and to explain or point out the most important aspects of it. His book is valuable not only as a systematic study of counterpoint but as an introduction to the music of the sixteenth century.