Google Maps für Dreiklänge – eine Einführung in die Neo-Riemannian Theory

The content on this page was translated automatically.

Subject according curriculum: Master Seminar Analysis
Teachers: Prof. Sebastian Sprenger
Semester: Wintersemester 2023/2024
Scope: Thursday, 10.30 - 12.00 Start: 12. 10. 2023
Room: BP 201
Duration: 1.5 Semesterwochenstunden
Description: "What the heck is Neo-Riemannian Analysis?" asks a video on the music theory YouTube channel 12tone. A very simplified answer could be: Neo-Riemannian Theory (or Analysis) examines the properties of chords and their connections in chromatic pitch space. In other words, it attempts to draw up a map of tonality - including conceivable routes - drawing on the ideas of the German music theorist Hugo Riemann (1849 - 1919), among others. Some aspects of 19th century music in particular, such as the extensive exploration of various third-octave relationships, can be clearly understood. NRT approaches are now also increasingly being used in the analysis of film and pop music.
The seminar aims to introduce the basics of NRT in an elementary, "polymodal" way: Parallel to the presentation of theoretical concepts and the analysis of selected musical examples, all sound relationships should also be experienced vocally and as movement in space. No previous theoretical knowledge is required.
Literature: Capuzzo, Guy: Neo-Riemannian Theory and the Analysis of Pop-Rock Music. Music Theory Spectrum 26.2, pp.177-199, online at:
https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/G_Capuzzo_Neo_2004.pdf
Cohn, Richard: Audacious Euphony. Chromaticism and the Triad's Second Nature. Oxford University Press 2012
Lehmann, Frank: Hollywood Harmony. Musical Wonder and the Sound of Cinema. Oxford University Press 2018
Credits: 3 Creditpoints
Comments: Course for BA and MA students of all disciplines.
Please register by stating your degree program at sebastian.sprenger[at]hfmt-hamburg.de by 8. 10. 2023.
Proof of performance: Participation in 85% of the courses; presentation or written term paper.
Modules: Musiktheoretisches Modul 1 Instrumentalisten Master, Musiktheoretisches Modul 2 Kirchenmusik A (Master), Wahlmodul freie Wahl (alle Studiengänge)